Jose Mourinho secured Benfica’s place in the Champions League knockout stages with a win over Real Madrid – and the Spanish giants could consider making a move for the Special One in the summer
Jose Mourinho is currently in charge of Benfica (Image: Getty Images)
Jose Mourinho could return to Real Madrid this summer, with the Spanish giants eyeing their next permanent manager.
The Special One, who currently manages Benfica, spent three years in charge of Los Blancos before retiring in 2013. Real recently sacked Xabi Alonso and replaced him with Alvaro Arbeloa, but are likely to pursue a big name in the summer.
Mourinho remains popular at the Bernabéu, even if he misses out on winning the Champions League, and he recently showed his magic in Europe when he led the Portuguese national team to defeat the Bernabéu, resulting in a place in the knockout stages.
Spanish outlet AS claim that he could be called up at the end of the season as Real look for someone to occupy the dugout with Mourinho’s height, aura and the experience to have no trouble managing a dressing room with a huge ego.
Despite his recent claims that he is not considering a return to the Bernabéu. “Don’t count on me about soap operas. There are good soap operas, but they’re very long. If you miss a chapter or two, you lose the thread. Don’t count on me, because I don’t watch soap operas.”
read more: Real Madrid to target Aston Villa’s Unai Emery as next managerread more: Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho can now save millions on his ‘coveted’ managerial candidate
It is also understood that the former Chelsea manager could be considered as a replacement if the Portugal international’s post becomes vacant. However, this role is likely to only materialize if Roberto Martinez’s Portugal side fail at this summer’s World Cup.
Although Mourinho himself has never worked on the international stage, he has been vocal about his desire to one day lead his country. He recently said: “To be honest, I always thought I would go back to Portugal. But I always knew I would go back to the national team. I knew the national team would come sooner or later. It was there before, but I didn’t accept it. I thought it would happen someday. I think it was the natural conclusion of my career.[But]it happened to be Benfica. It was a huge club.”
The Special One previously enjoyed success at Real Madrid (Image: Getty Images)
But if Real come calling, it would be the Special One’s best chance to win multiple trophies in almost a decade. He has recently enjoyed spells at Benfica, Fenerbahce, Roma and Tottenham, none of whom were considered Champions League challengers.
A return to the Bernabéu would mean they would have the likes of Kylian Mbappé and Jude Bellingham at their disposal. Real have been eliminated from the Copa del Rey and face the possibility of a trophyless season. They must follow Barcelona’s lead in La Liga and negotiate a place in the Champions League play-off stage.
Mourinho won 71 percent of their matches while in charge of the Spanish team, and his team from 2012/13 still holds the record for most points and wins in a season.
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