Jose Mourinho’s chances of landing Real Madrid job revealed – David Ornstein

And while reports linking the 63-year-old to jobs like Newcastle United or the Saudi Pro League were given little credence, Ornstein has now dropped a game-changing update on Real Madrid’s hunt for a new manager.

Perez wants reunion with Jose

The Athletic reporter reveals Florentino Perez, the president at the Santiago Bernabeu, has settled on Mourinho as his “favoured candidate” to replace interim coach Alvaro Arbeloa.

Arbeloa was appointed in January to take over from Xabi Alonso after the former Bayer Leverkusen boss was shown his marching orders in a move which mirrored INEOS’ appointment of Michael Carrick around the same time.

However, Perez has no interest in sticking with his caretaker as he looks to “rebuild a project that has fallen into disrepair” following the second consecutive campaign without a major trophy.

“Multiple sources, speaking anonymously as they did not have permission to comment, have told The Athletic that the decision on who will become Madrid’s next coach is being driven by Perez.

“That is in contrast to the hiring of Alonso to replace Carlo Ancelotti at the end of last season, a process which was led by Madrid’s general manager Jose Angel Sanchez, but given the green light by Perez.”

While the president is the “main supporter” of Mourinho’s return, with the Portuguese tactician having previously managed Real between 2010 and 2013, there are “other voices” who are opposed to the appointment.

It will require a fee in the region of €3 million to prise Mourinho from the Portuguese capital as his contract runs until June 2027, but includes a break clause if triggered within 10 days of the end of the season.

Final Thoughts

A blockbuster reunion between football’s most outspoken manager and the sport’s biggest club is a script which practically writes itself – which is why Perez’s decision to target Mourinho is so bizarre.

Every United fan will be able to predict, with flawless prescience, exactly how this move will play out for the La Liga giants. The ‘Special One’ is no longer in his prime, even if the return to the Bernabeu will constitute absolute primetime viewing.

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