Mourinho targeted by Real Madrid president Pérez for sensational return – report | OneFootball

Mourinho could make a sensational return to Madrid [Getty Images]

José Mourinho is no stranger to headlines, but stories in the early part of this week surrounding a potential return to Real Madrid has seen the Portuguese the subject of feverish attention across the football world.

Real Madrid are likely to be searching for a new manager once again this summer. A forgettable season, which began with the arrival of former player Xabi Alonso as new coach, will end without a major trophy for the second successive term. Alonso was dispatched from his position in January, replaced by interim boss Álvaro Arbeloa, who is now also expected to leave at the end of the campaign.

The list of potential successors is thought to contain three or four names, but the recent suggestion of Benfica boss Mourinho as frontrunner has accelerated into a major story. Renowned journalist Fabrizio Romano stated earlier this month that Mourinho was keen on the idea of a return to the Spanish capital, later adding that his inner circle of close associates had been informed.

Chief among those was no doubt Jorge Mendes, Mourinho’s trusted agent and one of the most high-profile operators in football. According to Romano, Mendes is now working on a deal to secure a sensational return for Mourinho to the Santiago Bernabeu, where he spent three seasons between 2010 and 2013.

Pérez to take the lead

The story was given significant legs on Tuesday when reputable outlet The Athletic ran an article claiming Mourinho is the preferred candidate of Real Madrid’s long-serving president Florentino Pérez to replace Arbeloa. Mourinho and Pérez have maintained a strong relationship despite their separation in 2013, while Pérez is known for a tendency to bring back previous managers.

Pérez, 79, has often switched between taking a leading role in appointing managers and seeking advice or deferring to the opinions of others in the Madrid hierarchy. For example, the hiring of Alonso last summer is thought to have been made on the insistence of general manager José Angel Sanchez, meaning Pérez was happy to dismiss Alonso midway through the current campaign amid discontent within the squad.

Crucially, according to The Athletic and respected journalist David Ornstein, Pérez looks set to reassume his place as the driving force in the next appointment, with his tendency of going back to previous bosses, as was the case with Zinedine Zidane and Carlo Ancelotti, a familiar trend in such circumstances.

The Athletic insist Pérez favours Mourinho for the upcoming vacancy, having appreciated the Portuguese’s efforts in competing with Pep Guardiola’s Barcelona during his first spell in Madrid. In particular, Mourinho’s second season in 2011-12 was a memorable one for the club, as Real stormed to the Liga title, setting several records, including most points attained and most goals scored.

Real have made no comment on the speculation; neither has Mourinho, who was seen in Italy on Tuesday while undertaking commercial responsibilities. For their part, Benfica are reported to be keen on retaining their manager’s services, after a strong end to the season which has seen the Eagles become favourites for a runner-up spot in Portugal and subsequent Champions League qualification.

According to Romano, Benfica have indicated their willingness to begin preparations for next season with Mourinho, while a break clause in his contract, enactable by either side for a brief period in May, is something the Lisbon club have no intention of exploring.