BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Real Madrid’s Alvaro Arbeloa congratulates his former manager Jose Mourinho Saturday’s game sparks intense speculation that the Portuguese coach will begin his second stint at one of Europe’s biggest clubs as his successor.
Arbeloa spoke like a manager who knows his days are numbered, telling reporters in Madrid on Saturday: “If he (Mourinho) is still here next season, I would be happy to see him come home.”
Arbeloa played for Madrid during Mourinho’s managerial tenure from 2010 to 2013, a tumultuous period in which Madrid won the Spanish league and Copa del Rey titles but was overshadowed by the great Barcelona under Josep Guardiola. Mourinho’s aggressive attitude toward opponents such as Guardiola and some players has offended many in Spain. He also had loyal supporters such as Arbeloa and some enthusiasts.
Rumors have been circulating in the Madrid sports press that Mourinho is the frontrunner to replace Arbeloa. Arbeloa was promoted from the club’s reserve team midway through the season and was always seen as an interim manager to replace the sacked Xabi Alonso.
Second-placed Madrid have two games left in the Spanish league this season, but they will end the season without winning a major title. They visit Sevilla on Sunday and finish the season at home against Athletic Bilbao on May 23rd.
The 15-time European Cup winners have been embarrassed by a series of ugly incidents in recent weeks. There was a dispute between the players and Barcelona conceded the loss to their fierce rivals. win a league title. Kylian Mbappé also faced jeers from fans, but the star striker publicly criticized Arbeloa For not playing with him more.
Club president Florentino Pérez held a press conference to announce that early elections would be held, adding to the sense of crisis at the club as victory was expected. blow up the media for what he considered a campaign to force his resignation.
Perez is expected to make a managerial change soon and it is understandable that he believes Mourinho’s strong personality is needed in the team.
Mourinho, who led Porto and Inter Milan to Champions League titles in 2004 and 2010, finishes his season with Benfica this weekend. The 63-year-old manager said on Friday he had received an offer from the Lisbon-based club to continue playing, but would decide on his future in the coming days.
Asked what he thought about Mourinho’s potential return, Arbeloa repeated the same praise he has lavished on Mourinho on other occasions.
“As a player and above all as a Madrid supporter, I feel that he is number one and that’s what I think,” Arbeloa said.
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