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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 looking for the current Benfica boss to lift the team up after a difficult campaign.
With a manageable break clause in his contract, the ‘Special One’ could be ready for a sensational second act at the Santiago Bernabéu.
Mourinho in the running for his return to the Bernabeu
Mourinho is heavily linked with a sensational return to Real Madrid as the club prepares for a change in management.
This potential appointment comes at a time when the club is looking for a proven winner to stabilize a project that has struggled to gain consistency.
Mourinho, who managed the Whites between 2010 and 2013, has a close relationship with Perez.
His availability is facilitated by a specific clause in his contract with Benfica, which would allow a separation for a fee of around 3 million euros within ten days of the end of the season.
Pérez identifies Arbeloa’s successor
The catalyst for this search was doubts about Arbeloa’s future as permanent manager of the Santiago Bernabéu.
Arbeloa was appointed head coach in January 2026 following the dismissal of Xabi Alonso, but he struggled to turn the team around.
With Madrid set to complete a second consecutive season without a major trophy, Perez will likely choose an elite, high-profile figure to restore the club’s competitive edge.
Although Arbeloa remains a respected figure within the club’s infrastructure, the hierarchy believe that the senior team needs a more experienced hand to manage the transition from young talent to world-class players.
Perez sees Mourinho’s psychological approach and uncompromising standards as the ideal remedy for the team’s current lack of courage.
The president would personally lead the recruitment process, similar to his previous interventions during periods of high pressure for the club.
Mourinho’s lasting legacy at Madrid
During his first spell in Spain, Mourinho 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 fierce counter-attacking style and mental resilience that saw Madrid reach three consecutive Champions League semi-finals.
Despite a controversial exit in 2013, many supporters view his era as a turning point that restored Madrid’s status as a world power.
Not the only suitor
The final decision on Real’s next coach is expected to be announced shortly after the end of the domestic seasons.
Arbeloa is expected to oversee the remaining matches before an official announcement regarding the new management is made, although Mourinho is not universally the standout choice among backroom figures.
Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni has also been linked with the position, as has Stuttgart’s Sebastian Hoeness, while Athletics also reported that United States men’s national team coach Mauricio Pochettino was being considered for the Bernabeu.
