Real Madrid are set to appoint Jose Mourinho as their next manager, with the final details appearing to be finalized.
Jose Mourinho is set to return as permanent manager of Real Madrid (Image: (Photo by Joao Rico/Icon Sport via Getty Images))
Jose Mourinho and Real Madrid are in “final negotiations” for the Portuguese icon to return as head coach.
According to BBC Sport, Benfica’s current manager is the clear frontrunner for the role and is the only manager in discussions to take over the Spanish capital permanently.
Alvaro Arbeloa has been in charge of the first team since the sacking of manager Xabi Alonso in January. According to the report, Real president Florentino Perez first considered bringing Mourinho back just two days after Alonso’s departure.
Despite the deal moving forward, Mourinho gave a clear update on his future earlier this week. “We have a game against Estoril and from Monday I will be able to answer questions about my future as a coach and the future of Benfica,” he said.
Los Blancos have had a terrible season, made worse by their 2-0 loss to Barcelona this weekend as their rivals clinched the La Liga title.
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The build-up to El Clasico was largely dominated by accidents between Aurelien Choameny and Federico Valverde on the training ground, with the latter requiring a trip to hospital.
Unsurprisingly, Valverde missed the trip to Camp Nou, while Kylian Mbappé suffered further injury complications and will miss Sunday night’s game.
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24 hours after Real’s disastrous defeat, Mourinho oversaw a 2-2 draw between Benfica and Braga. They currently sit in third place in the Portuguese league table, with Sporting CP in second place and Porto, who are already crowned champions, at the top of the table.
The highlight of Benfica’s season was undoubtedly his last goal against Real in the Champions League, which qualified them for the play-off round against the same opponents.
Their final was controversial after an incident involving Gianluca Prestiani and Vinicius Jr. The former admitted homophobic abuse towards the Real star and received a six-match ban from UEFA.
Jose Mourinho was deeply involved in Vinichir Junior’s story
His suspension has since been extended worldwide and, if selected, he will miss Argentina’s first two matches.
With the Real dressing room in turmoil, the 63-year-old is likely to be Perez’s favorite candidate. The 2025/26 season will end without winning a trophy, as they lost to Barcelona and were eliminated from the Champions League by Bayern Munich.
Although Real failed to win the 2024/25 season, they had a very successful period last season, winning the Champions League and La Liga titles.
