José Mourinho Emerges as Favorite to Be Named Real Madrid New Coach

Real Madrid president Florentino Perez has identified Jose Mourinho as his top choice to take charge of Real Madrid following the expected departure of Alvaro Arbeloa at the end of the current season.

Arbeloa, who was appointed in January after the dismissal of Xabi Alonso, is also set to leave once the campaign concludes. As a result, Madrid have begun planning their next managerial appointment, with The Athletic reporting that Perez is personally leading the search.

This marks a notable shift in approach. Last summer, Alonso replaced Carlo Ancelotti in a move orchestrated by general manager Jose Angel Sanchez and later approved by Perez. This time, however, the club president is taking direct control of the decision-making process.

The urgency behind this change is tied to the club’s recent performances. Real Madrid are on course to finish a second consecutive season without winning La Liga, the UEFA Champions League, or the Copa del Rey. In fact, the team has now gone two straight seasons without securing the domestic league title.

Against this backdrop, Perez has emerged as the strongest advocate for Jose Mourinho’s return, although the idea is not universally supported within the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium hierarchy.

A reunion would revive a partnership that previously delivered three trophies between 2010 and 2013, including the 2011–12 La Liga title, which was won with a record points total that remains unmatched by the club.

However, Mourinho’s earlier spell was not without complications. Despite achieving success domestically, he left Madrid without securing the Champions League. Moreover, his tenure was marked by internal tensions, most notably his strained relationship with then-captain Iker Casillas, which divided the dressing room and attracted criticism from both fans and media.

Adding to the scrutiny, Mourinho has also been involved in recent controversy. During a Champions League match between Benfica and Madrid in Lisbon on February 17, Vinícius Júnior alleged racial abuse from Gianluca Prestianni.

Mourinho later suggested the forward may have provoked the incident, a claim that drew widespread backlash. Prestianni denied the accusation and was subsequently handed a six-match ban by UEFA for homophobic, rather than racist, conduct.

Currently, Mourinho remains under contract with Benfica, having taken charge in September with a deal running until June 2027. Nonetheless, there is a potential pathway for his exit. The agreement includes a €3 million release clause, which allows either party to terminate the contract within 10 days after the final match of the season.

If Madrid choose to act, this clause could offer a straightforward route to bringing the former Chelsea and Manchester United manager back to the Spanish capital.