Updated: 28 Apr 2026 13:10 BST |
4 min read
Jose Mourinho is the top choice of president Florentino Perez to replace Alvaro Arbeloa as Real Madrid’s next manager, The Athletic have confirmed.
Arbeloa is expected to be dismissed as Madrid boss at the end of the season after a disappointing end to the campaign, having been appointed in January after Xabi Alonso’s sacking.
According to reporters Mario Cortegana and David Ornstein, the decision over Real Madrid’s next head coach is being driven by Perez and the club president is now the ‘main supporter’ of bringing back Mourinho.
Perez is said to want to rebuild a project that has ‘fallen into disrepair’, with Madrid set to end the season without a major trophy for the second year running – the first time this has happened in more than 15 years.
Mourinho is currently coaches Benfica, where he has remained undefeated in the league since being appointed in September and his contract – valid until 2027 – is understood to have a clause of €3 million that allows either party to break the deal up to ten days after the final game of the season.
However, some voices inside Madrid are said to be ‘opposed’ at bringing Mourinho back to the club where he lifted three trophies between 2010 and 2013, including setting a new points total on the way to winning the La Liga title.
Real Madrid set for controversial reunion with Mourinho
Madrid have also considered United States coach Mauricio Pochettino as an option this summer as well as Jurgen Klopp, although the German boss is said to be happy in his current role as Red Bull’s global head of soccer.
Mourinho’s return to Real Madrid would be somewhat controversial given the 63-year-old’s polarising reputation as both a winner and an outspoken manager often proving divisive in the dressing room.
The Portuguese coach also attracted criticism after suggesting that Vinicius Junior instigated an incident which saw the Real Madrid star accuse Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni of racial abuse earlier this season.
Despite the doubts, Perez believes Mourinho to be the right choice to bring the club back to its former glories and has moved to lead the managerial process in contrast to previous appointments led by general manager Jose Angel Sanchez.
Mourinho has also been linked with the Portugal manager’s job after the 2026 World Cup but the Benfica boss is said to be keen on a return to Madrid and could be open to an approach in the coming weeks.
Related stories:
Elliot Anderson making transfer mistake as England midfielder’s ‘destiny’ revealed
Transfer Rumours: Creative Diomande solution as Man Utd decision confirmed
Man Utd Transfer News Today: €100m price tag set as Anderson ‘destiny’ revealed
The FootballTransfers app
Check out FootballTransfers’ new app for all of football’s big storylines, transfer rumours and exclusive news in one convenient place directly on your mobile device.
The FootballTransfers app is available on Google Play and in the Apple App Store. Download here:
•Google Play
•App Store
