Real Madrid ‘to recall’ José Mourinho to unite split dressing room | OneFootball

According to L'Équipe, Florentino Pérez is considering recalling José Mourinho to replace Alvaro Arbeloa at Real Madrid. The 63-year-old would be tasked with restoring the club’s aura after a likely second straight season without silverware, and calming a dressing room split since Xabi Alonso was replaced in January.

Whether Mourinho can heal those fractures remains an open question. His career has swung between admired leader and controlling provocateur, adept at managing egos yet capable of sowing fear.

His first stint from 2010 to 2013 was strewn with flashpoints, often as he shunned blame after defeats, which alienated some. In early 2012 he targeted Sergio Ramos, Iker Casillas and Spain internationals, accusing them of caring more about relations with Barça players than the Real shirt, and of overindulging at Christmas, even threatening to reveal names.

Players felt watched and criticised his muscular, defensive approach. Ramos is said to have told him he had never been in shorts on a pitch, during a Clasico row over marking Carles Puyol. Later that year Casillas was dropped, and Pérez sided with Ramos and Casillas when confronted with their ultimatum.

Tensions with Kaka also flared, and Mourinho reportedly told him he did not figure in his plans, urging him to revive his career. Not everyone fell out, Cristiano Ronaldo scored 168 goals in three seasons and lauded his coach, while Karim Benzema sought guidance in early 2011 and won favour.

Mourinho still delivered the 2011 Copa del Rey and the 2012 Liga, and pushed through the signing of Luka Modric from Tottenham. Early rallying lines stressed team over stars, collective graft in attack and defence, and a leader’s protection, themes now echoing as his name returns to the Bernabéu conversation.

Source: L'Équipe