Real Madrid Hold Talks With Jose Mourinho as Florentino Perez Names Preferred Coach

Real Madrid have held talks with José Mourinho about making a return as head coach, with Mourinho emerging as the preferred candidate of Real Madrid president Florentino Pérez.

The Times says Mourinho would succeed Álvaro Arbeloa, who has overseen a chaotic few months since Xabi Alonso was sacked in January, and it also notes that Pérez said in a press conference: “We are not at that stage of the process.”

BBC

The same report says Mourinho took over at Benfica on a two-year contract in September and has been evasive in recent weeks when asked about his future there.

The Times adds that Mourinho’s return would aim to instil more authority over the Real dressing room after a mess of a season in which the club will finish without a major trophy for a second consecutive year, and it points to disciplinary issues including a fight between Federico Valverde and Aurélien Tchouaméni.

In parallel, the BBC frames Pérez’s Tuesday press conference as the “starting gun of a new era,” saying it was “the truth everyone in the room already knew: Jose Mourinho is coming back to Real Madrid, 13 years after his previous explosive stint.”

The Times reports that in the past month alone, Real midfielder Federico Valverde was taken to hospital after a fight with Aurélien Tchouaméni, and it also says Álvaro Carreras admitted to clashing with Antonio Rüdiger in training.

It also notes that Kylian Mbappé’s commitment was questioned by supporters after the striker was photographed in Sardinia with his girlfriend despite having a hamstring injury before Sunday’s Clásico against Barcelona.

BBC

The Real Champs piece says that just before El Clásico, “one major fight reportedly broke out between club captain Fede Valverde and Aurélien Tchouaméni,” and it adds that the Uruguayan international slipped and fell to the ground, knocking himself unconscious.

In the same Real Champs account, it argues that Mourinho’s arrival could raise questions about Vinícius Júnior’s future at Real, linking it to Mourinho’s preference for control and the Brazilian’s “best form when he is given a certain amount of freedom on the pitch.”

The BBC also ties the return to the club’s fractured dressing room, stating that “There have been fights between players” and that “Into this chaos walks a man with an iron fist, a famous surname and zero tolerance for insubordination.”

Pérez’s Tuesday press conference is described by the BBC as a rage against journalists in which he invoked conspiracies and warned that they would have to “shoot him out” of the Bernabeu, while the BBC says it was “the starting gun of a new era.”

“In an unexpected turn of events, Real Madrid President Florentino Perez has reaffirmed his commitment to the club despite a tumultuous season, addressing media speculation about his future in a surprise press conference”

Devdiscourse

The Times reports that Pérez has huge respect for Mourinho and the pair have maintained a close relationship, even after Mourinho’s first spell at Real ended in 2013 following three turbulent and divisive years characterised by a toxic rivalry with Pep Guardiola’s Barcelona.

The Real Champs piece says Vinícius is yet to renew his contract and that “The Brazilian’s deal is set to expire in 2027,” adding that Real might have to put the superstar on the market if an extension isn’t agreed upon soon.

In the same Real Champs account, it points to a Champions League incident involving Benfica and says “Gianluca Prestianni covered his mouth and said something to the Brazilian international,” after which Vinícius rushed to the referee to complain.

The Times also reports that the club faces the threat of another trophy-less season, trailing Barcelona in the La Liga title race, and it notes that in the Champions League Real defeated Manchester City in the round of 16 before losing to Bayern Munich in the quarter-finals.