Arbeloa 'happy' if Mourinho back at Real Madrid next season

TL;DR

Real Madrid coach Alvaro Arbeloa expressed happiness at the prospect of Jose Mourinho returning to the club next season. Mourinho, currently coaching Benfica, previously led Madrid from 2010 to 2013 and is seen as a potential replacement.

Key points

Alvaro Arbeloa supports Jose Mourinho's potential return to Real Madrid.
Mourinho previously managed Real Madrid from 2010 to 2013.
Real Madrid has not won a major trophy for two consecutive seasons.
Kylian Mbappe criticized Arbeloa after being benched for a match.

Mentioned in this story

Jose MourinhoAlvaro ArbeloaKylian Mbappe

Real MadridBenficaBarcelona

Benfica coach Jose Mourinho has been heavily linked with a return to Real Madrid next season (PATRICIA DE MELO MOREIRA) (PATRICIA DE MELO MOREIRA/AFP/AFP) Real Madrid coach Alvaro Arbeloa said Saturday he would be pleased if Jose Mourinho replaces him and leads the club next season. The Portuguese veteran who led Madrid between 2010 and 2013, clashing in that era with Pep Guardiola's Barcelona side, has been heavily linked with a return to the Santiago Bernabeu bench. Currently coaching Benfica, selecting the divisive Mourinho would be a gamble on the part of president Florentino Perez after Los Blancos finished without a major trophy for a second consecutive season. "For me, as a former (Madrid) player and as a Madridista, Jose Mourinho is number one. He's one of ours," Arbeloa told reporters. "If he comes back next year, I'll be very happy to see him back home." Arbeloa replaced Xabi Alonso in January but was unable to help Madrid salvage anything from a troubled campaign. Star striker Kylian Mbappe criticised Arbeloa after being benched in midweek for Madrid's win over Real Oviedo. Mbappe returned from a thigh injury that had kept him out of the Clasico last weekend, where Barca beat Madrid to seal their La Liga triumph. "I've just bumped into him, I told him to stay calm. I understand that these kinds of things make headlines, but it's something much more normal than you think," Arbeloa said. "I used to be a player, I know what they can feel in these situations -- playing every day, then playing less or not at all," continued the coach. "I totally understand that Kylian wasn't happy about not playing on Thursday, and I like that. "I wouldn't understand it if he didn't want to play. My relationship with him remains the same." rbs/ea

Q&A

Why is Jose Mourinho linked with a return to Real Madrid?

Jose Mourinho is linked with a return to Real Madrid due to his previous successful tenure from 2010 to 2013 and the club's recent lack of major trophies.

What did Alvaro Arbeloa say about Jose Mourinho's potential return?

Alvaro Arbeloa stated he would be very happy if Jose Mourinho returned to Real Madrid, calling him 'number one' and expressing his support as a former player.

How did Kylian Mbappe react to being benched by Arbeloa?

Kylian Mbappe expressed dissatisfaction after being benched, but Arbeloa acknowledged the situation and emphasized his understanding of players' feelings in such circumstances.