Real Madrid meet top manager target’s camp as return talks intensify – report | OneFootball

As reported just a while back, Jose Mourinho is now seen as the top target to become the next manager of Real Madrid.

With the dressing room in turmoil, Los Blancos see the need to appoint a manager with strong character like the Portuguese tactician in order to restore order before next season.

Meeting held

Building on that, Sky Germany now reports that representatives of Real Madrid met with Mourinho’s camp at the beginning of the week in order to intensify talks over a possible return.

The driving force behind the plans to bring Mourinho back is Real Madrid general director Jose Angel Sanchez.

The 63-year-old is open to returning to the Santiago Bernabeu, where he previously worked between 2010 and 2013, winning La Liga, Copa del Rey, and the Spanish Super Cup during his spell at the club.

However, Mourinho is reportedly demanding full control of the dressing room and significant influence over transfers in order to return.

On his way back to Madrid? (Photo by Jose Manuel Alvarez Rey/Getty Images)

It remains unclear whether club president Florentino Perez is willing to accept those demands. The relationship between the pair is believed to remain very strong.

However, Xabi Alonso too had a strong bond with Perez, but also failed in his attempts to introduce new structures around the squad and break up internal cliques.

The final decision concerning Mourinho’s appointment now rests with the Real Madrid president.

To appoint Mourinho, Real would have to pay compensation to his current club SL Benfica. The release clause in his contract, which runs until 2027, is set at just under €3 million and can be activated within the first ten days after the end of the season.

A final decision therefore may not be far away.