Jose Mourinho lined up for shock Real Madrid return after 13 years away | OneFootball

Benfica head coach earmarked as top candidate to replace under-pressure Alvaro Arbeloa

Jose Mourinho is Florentino Perez’s top choice to take over as Real Madrid manager next season, per reports.

Los Blancos are expected to dip back into the manager market this summer as Alvaro Arbeloa, who replaced Xabi Alonso in January, struggles to impress.

The Spaniard, who was promoted from the club’s B-team, has won just 14 of his 23 matches in charge, with Real staring down the barrel of a rare trophyless season.

New reports from The Athletic claim club president Perez has his heart set on bringing Mourinho back for a second spell at the Bernabeu, 13 years after he called time on his first stint in the Spanish capital.

Jurgen Klopp and Mauricio Pochettino are both considered alternative options, as is Didier Deschamps, who is set to leave his role with the French national team after this summer’s World Cup.

Klopp has publicly denounced earlier reports linking him with the job, though.

Mourinho, 63, is now in charge at Benfica and is under contract until summer 2027. However, a clause in his deal would allow him to terminate his contract come the end of this season.

Benfica are currently on track for an invincible campaign under Mourinho’s guidance, but remain seven points adrift of Liga Portugal leaders Porto.

Mourinho came away from his previous spell at Real with one La Liga title and one Copa del Rey. He also fell out with then-captain Iker Casillas.