Rabat – The coaching future at Real Madrid is once again the subject of intense speculation, with multiple high-profile names circulating internally and externally as the club evaluates its next long-term managerial direction.
Among the candidates, one profile stands out due to both history and symbolism: José Mourinho.
According to reports from Spanish outlet AS, Mourinho has been proposed to Real Madrid through intermediaries at a moment when the club is informally preparing for a possible change in leadership at the end of the season.
The Portuguese coach, currently in charge of Benfica, previously managed Real Madrid between 2010 and 2013. In that period, the club was a domestic success with one La Liga title (historic record of 100 points), one Copa del Rey and one Supercopa de España. But it was also marked by a tense exit that did not fully close the door on a future return.
Mourinho option reactivated through intermediaries
The renewed connection has reportedly been facilitated through his agent, Jorge Mendes, who has informed Real Madrid that Mourinho’s contract situation includes a release mechanism that could allow an early departure from Benfica. The coach himself is understood to remain open to a return to the Bernabéu under the right conditions, maintaining a strong personal relationship with club president Florentino Pérez despite his earlier departure.
Within the club, however, there is no active acceleration of negotiations. The current leadership focus remains on finishing the season competitively, with internal discussions expected to intensify only once the campaign concludes.
At present, Real Madrid’s bench is being led by Álvaro Arbeloa, but his long-term continuity is increasingly uncertain since the Champions League exit in the semi-finals last week against Bayern Munich. The club should make a definitive decision on his future, with current indications suggesting a change is more likely than not.
Alongside Mourinho, a large list of alternative profiles has been discussed or presented through agents in recent weeks. These include Mauricio Pochettino, Julian Nagelsmann, Massimiliano Allegri, Jürgen Klopp, and Didier Deschamps. The scale of Real Madrid’s managerial attractiveness is pretty clear.
There is a lot of speculation right now, but the club’s internal position is still cautious. The immediate priority is stabilizing performances and protecting the team’s competitive image in the final stretch of the season.
No final decision has been made or formally advanced. For now, his potential return remains one of several strategic options being evaluated rather than a concrete negotiation.