Mourinho emerges as the top choice to become Real Madrid manager; decision soon | OneFootball

These are days of intense activity at Real Madrid, who have been planning next season’s project ever since their UEFA Champions League exit against Bayern.

The first major decision is the choice of a new manager, although Alvaro Arbeloa still has supporters within the club. However, results suggest that the coach’s departure is increasingly likely, especially after several conflicts with players.

Mourinho the first choice

Now, according to MARCA, the shortlist of candidates to replace Arbeloa at Real Madrid has been reduced significantly in recent weeks. And at the top of that list is Jose Mourinho.

The former Los Blancos boss, currently in charge of SL Benfica, maintains a close friendship with club president Florentino Perez dating back to his previous spell at the Bernabeu.

The president has never hidden his admiration for the Portuguese coach, whose time at Real Madrid is seen internally as laying the foundations for the successes that followed after his departure.

The events of recent days, particularly the physical altercations between Aurelien Tchouameni and Fede Valverde that ended with the Uruguayan in hospital, have strengthened the case for a strong personality like Mourinho.

Mourinho set to return? (Photo by Jose Manuel Alvarez Rey/Getty Images)

The Portuguese, who himself is keen on a return, has extensive experience managing difficult dressing-room situations throughout his long career at the highest level.

Other options on the table

That does not mean there are no other options, and each candidate is being assessed with arguments both for and against.

Mauricio Pochettino is another name under consideration, another coach admired by Perez. Meanwhile, neither Jurgen Klopp nor Zinedine Zidane has truly been a realistic option.

Didier Deschamps is also among the names being considered, largely because of his strong relationship with the French core of the squad. Another international manager being discussed is Lionel Scaloni, although his limited experience at club level counts against him.

Decision soon

Real Madrid will only formally move for a new manager once the team no longer has any mathematical chance of winning the league. That could happen this Sunday if they fail to beat Barcelona.

At that point, the groundwork laid over recent weeks will begin to take shape, although discussions have not yet reached the finest details.

Most of the preparation has already been done, and the club believe the final decision will be made quickly.