Jose Mourinho set for sensational return to Real Madrid as manager | OneFootball

Jose Mourinho is Real Madrid president Florentino Perez’s favoured candidate to replace Alvaro Arbeloa as manager.

According to The Athletic, Perez will decide who will replace Arbeloa.

When Los Blancos hired Xabi Alonso as manager last summer, general manager Jose Angel Sanchez led the process. 

However, Perez will control the next appointment, and he is the main supporter of bringing back Mourinho. 

The Portuguese has managed some of the biggest clubs in the world, including Manchester United, Chelsea and Inter Milan. 

He has a confrontational approach to management, which is why some people in the Spanish club oppose his return. 

Mourinho managed Madrid between 2010 and 2013. He led them to three trophies – the La Liga title, the Copa del Rey and the Supercopa de Espana. 

Internal tensions also marked his tenure as he fell out with several senior players. 

Madrid are set to part company with Arbeloa after their disastrous 2025/26 season. 

The 43-year-old replaced Alonso, but started his tenure with a Copa del Rey defeat to Albacete. 

Madrid’s chances of winning the La Liga title are also slim, with Barcelona currently 11 points clear at the top of the table. 

They have already crashed out of the Champions League after losing 6-4 on aggregate to Bayern Munich in the quarter-final.