Mourinho surprised by Real Madrid superstar’s recent attitude as return inches closer | OneFootball

With Benfica set to play their final game of the season this weekend, Jose Mourinho is expected to say goodbye to the club imminently ahead of a return to Real Madrid.

The Portuguese tactician is set to replace Alvaro Arbeloa as the Merengues’ manager, with a contract until 2028 already seemingly agreed.

Mourinho is expected to meet with Real Madrid next week to finalise his return to the Santiago Bernabeu 13 years after his first stint came to an end.

Mourinho well aware of Real Madrid issues

According to AS, even though Mourinho has publicly denied having had contacts with Real Madrid so far, he is fully aware of what has been happening in Los Blancos’ dressing room in recent weeks.

The report goes one step further and claims that the former Chelsea boss has been left surprised by the recent attitude shown by Real Madrid superstar Kylian Mbappe.

Mourinho surprised by Mbappe. (Photo by Jose Manuel Alvarez Rey/Getty Images)

This comes after the French forward took shots at Arbeloa earlier this week after the win over Real Oviedo, where he was left on the bench by the manager.

Prior to that, the 27-year-old attacker was said to have gotten into a verbal altercation with one of the coaching staff members as well.

So, there is some annoyance within the current staff about Mbappe’s recent behaviour and comments, and Mourinho, for his part, is understood to be aware of the situation and surprised by the superstar’s behaviour.

Mbappe holds meeting with Perez

As already reported on Friday, Mbappe was called in for a direct meeting with Perez, who wanted to clear the air with the forward.

Mbappe will remain central to Real Madrid’s plans. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)

The idea was to impress upon the attacker that while he remains central to the plans, no player will be bigger than the club.

Real Madrid’s goal is to restore order, stability and discipline in what is a fractured dressing room, and the work begins with Mourinho’s return to the club.