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José Mourinho is reportedly the leading candidate to return to Real Madrid as head coach if Alvaro Arbeloa is sacked.
Club president Florentino Perez is reportedly on the hunt for the current Benfica boss to lift the squad after a difficult campaign.
With a manageable break clause in his contract, the ‘Special One’ could be set for a sensational second act at the Santiago Bernabéu.
Mourinho in line for Bernabeu comeback
Mourinho is being heavily linked with a sensational return to Real Madrid as the club prepare for a managerial change.
The potential appointment comes at a time when the club is looking for a proven winner to stabilize a project that has struggled for consistency.
Mourinho, who managed the Merengues between 2010 and 2013, has maintained a close relationship with Perez.
His availability is aided by a specific clause in his Benfica contract which reportedly allows for a separation for a fee of around €3m within ten days of the end of the season.
Perez identifies Arbeloa successor
The catalyst for this search was doubt over Arbeloa’s future as permanent manager at the Santiago Bernabéu.
Arbeloa was appointed head coach in January 2026 following the sacking of Xabi Alonso, but has struggled to turn the team around.
With Madrid set to end a second straight season without a major trophy, Perez is likely to opt for an elite, high-profile figure to restore the club’s competitive edge.
While Arbeloa remains a respected figure within the club’s infrastructure, the hierarchy believes the senior squad requires a more experienced hand to navigate the transition of young talent into world-class performers.
Perez sees Mourinho’s psychological approach and uncompromising standards as the ideal antidote to the team’s current lack of grit.
The president is said to be leading the recruitment process personally, similar to his previous interventions during periods of high pressure for the club.
Mourinho’s lasting legacy at Madrid
During his first stint in Spain, Mourinho famously broke the dominance of Pep Guardiola’s Barcelona, winning the 2011–12 La Liga title with a record 100 points and 121 goals.
His tenure was defined by a tough, counter-attacking style and a mental resilience that saw Madrid reach three consecutive Champions League semi-finals.
Despite a controversial exit in 2013, many supporters see his era as a turning point that restored Madrid’s status as a global powerhouse.
Not the only contender
The final decision on Real’s next coach is expected to be announced shortly after the domestic seasons reach their conclusions.
Arbeloa is expected to oversee the remaining games before a formal announcement of the new leadership is made, although Mourinho is not the universal choice among the backroom.
Argentina boss Lionel Scaloni has also been linked with the post along with Stuttgart’s Sebastian Hoeness, while Athletics have also reported that United States men’s national team manager Mauricio Pochettino has been under consideration at the Bernabeu.
