Mourinho and Real Madrid, Pérez’s enduring wish as Lisbon reunion looms | OneFootball

José Mourinho remains Florentino Pérez’s favoured coach at Real Madrid, with the pair still in contact thirteen years after the Portuguese left, according to Superdeporte. He meets his former club in Lisbon on Wednesday in the final round of this season’s Champions League group stage.

Asked about a return, Mourinho brushed aside soap opera chatter, saying he does not get involved in such sagas. He managed Madrid from 2010 to 2013, defined by his rivalry with Pep Guardiola’s Barcelona. He won the Copa del Rey in 2011 and La Liga in 2012, but departed without delivering the long awaited décima.

Pérez has maintained that Mourinho was the only coach to truly impose order in the Madrid dressing room. He also argued on the Portuguese’s arrival that Mourinho embodied the club’s DNA, which he felt was needed to compete on all fronts.

When Chelsea called in 2013, Mourinho decided his time in Madrid was over. Pérez urged him to stay, telling him the hardest work was done and the best was yet to come. Mourinho later accepted that rejecting the president was among the biggest mistakes of his career.

Pérez has routinely sent good luck whenever Mourinho has taken new jobs, including moves to Manchester United, Tottenham, Roma, Fenerbahçe and Benfica, and he offered public support on the latest appointment.

Álvaro Arbeloa, now Madrid coach, has repeatedly praised Mourinho’s influence and loyalty, and is expected to share a warm greeting with him in Lisbon on Wednesday.

Source: Superdeporte