Jose Mourinho is reportedly the frontrunner to become Real Madrid’s next manager, with current manager Alvaro Arbeloa suggesting he will not be appointed as permanent manager.
Kylian Mbappe appears to support Jose Mourinho’s possible return (Image: Zed Jameson/Anadolu via Getty Images)
Real Madrid manager Alvaro Arbeloa insists he is not upset after Kylian Mbappe liked an Instagram post that appeared to support Jose Mourinho’s potential return. Arbeloa, 43, has been in charge since January, but it is unclear whether the Spanish giants will retain him next season or return to his role in the academy.
Speculation has increased in recent days that Real are planning to replace him after they were eliminated in the quarter-finals of the Champions League by Bayern Munich. Thirteen years after leaving the Bernabéu, Mourinho’s sensational return is attracting more and more attention.
His contract with Benfica runs until June 2027, but the former Chelsea, Manchester United and Tottenham manager has recently cast doubt over his future in Lisbon. Mbappe added fuel to the fire by liking an Instagram post suggesting Mourinho should be a candidate for the job.
It highlighted the 63-year-old’s winning record during his three years at Madrid and his influence on Cristiano Ronaldo. Asked about Mbappé’s social media activity, Arbeloa dismissed it.
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“That’s something I wouldn’t even think about,” said the Spaniard. “I don’t care if he likes Mourinho or Julia Roberts or anyone else. It doesn’t matter.”
Madrid have six games remaining in La Liga, trailing arch-rivals Barcelona by nine points. An away win against Real Betis on Friday will put Barça under pressure to regain a strong lead when they visit Getafe on Saturday.
Real will at least hope that the title race is still alive when they face Barcelona at the Camp Nou on Sunday, May 10th. Real won their first Clasico earlier this season, but lost in their second Spanish Super Cup final, ultimately costing Xabi Alonso his job.
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Alvaro Arbeloa doesn’t care what Kylian Mbappe does on social media (Image: Federico Titone/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)
As for Mourinho’s future, he was asked on Saturday if he could guarantee he would remain at Benfica next season. “I can’t say that. How can you say that? It doesn’t just depend on me! That’s clear,” Mourinho replied, before flipping the question.
“I can’t guarantee that coaches, coaches, players, press directors, physiotherapists, all of us within the club structure, A BOLA journalists, like you, will be in BOLA for the next 10 years. We might want to, but we can’t guarantee that. Of course I can’t guarantee that.”
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