Real Madrid managerial target tight-lipped on future – ‘My next goal is…’ | OneFootball

Real Madrid are looking for a new manager to replace Alvaro Arbeloa in June, and Florentino Perez has taken a personal interest in the selection of the candidate.

After all, the last two appointments have not quite gone to plan, and the president believes there is a need for an experienced and successful profile to take over.

Several names have been identified as fitting the aforementioned criteria, with the likes of Jose Mourinho, Lionel Scaloni, Didier Deschamps and Jurgen Klopp standing out.

The Portuguese tactician, however, has emerged as the most preferred option for Florentino Perez.

Mourinho’s goal

Speaking to the media earlier today, Mourinho was asked what his next goal is as a manager, trying to get him to open up on the Real Madrid links.

“My next goal is to get Benfica to the Champions League,” he said bluntly, as quoted by Fabrizio Romano, making it clear that he is 100% focused on the job at hand.

The Portuguese manager then elaborated on how close his side are to securing UCL qualification once more, saying: “If we win the next three matches, we’ll play in Europe’s biggest competition. That’s the only thing on my mind.”

Focused on the Benfica job amid Real Madrid links. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)

Notably, however, Mourinho did not speak about his future beyond this season in any capacity, leaving it as a grey area for the time being.

After all, he is currently contractually obligated to Benfica and cannot speak freely about his desire to leave the club for the Real Madrid project in June.

Yet, rumours make it clear that he is a top target for Los Blancos and that Florentino Perez is personally pushing to sign him.

As relayed earlier today, Benfica have already begun their hunt for Mourinho’s replacement, and it seems that even they are aware of the possibility of him leaving. Only time, however, will tell if he is the chosen one.