Jose Mourinho is on the verge of a sensational return to Real Madrid, with final negotiations underway that would see the Portuguese tactician leave Benfica and take the helm at the Bernabeu for a second spell. The 63-year-old, who previously managed Los Blancos from 2010 to 2013, winning a Copa del Rey and a La Liga title, is expected to finalize terms soon, according to club sources. His comeback would end a 13-year absence from the Spanish capital, a period during which Mourinho added further silverware at Chelsea, Manchester United, Tottenham, and Roma before his brief stint in Lisbon.
Current Real Madrid head coach Alvaro Arbeloa has publicly endorsed the move, stating he would be delighted to step aside for Mourinho. 'For me, as a former Madrid player and as a Madridista, Jose Mourinho is number one. He's one of ours,' Arbeloa told reporters ahead of Sunday's La Liga clash with Sevilla. 'If he comes back next year, I'll be very happy to see him back home.' The former Liverpool defender took over the reins in January following Xabi Alonso’s departure, but has struggled to revive a team that has now finished without a major trophy for the second consecutive season.
Arbeloa’s tenure has been marked by inconsistency and off-field tensions. Despite a squad boasting world-class talent, Real Madrid have fallen short in both domestic and European competitions. The team’s La Liga challenge faltered early, allowing Barcelona to secure the title with an El Clasico victory, while their Champions League campaign ended in the quarter-finals. Arbeloa, a club legend from his playing days, has faced scrutiny over his tactical decisions and man-management, with the club’s hierarchy believed to have initiated contact with Mourinho weeks ago.
Mourinho’s impending return represents a dramatic shift in the club’s strategy. Known for his pragmatic, often defensive style, the two-time Champions League winner built a formidable counter-attacking unit during his first tenure that set a then-record points tally. His ability to instill discipline and resilience could be the antidote to a side that has looked fragile under pressure. However, his reputation for creating combustible dressing-room dynamics will be tested, particularly with stars like Kylian Mbappe already expressing frustration.
The Mbappe situation has become a growing concern. The French forward was left out of the starting line-up for Real Madrid’s 2-0 win over Real Oviedo, a decision that drew visible displeasure from the player. Mbappe had missed the two previous games, including the El Clasico defeat to Barcelona, with a thigh injury, and was whistled by sections of the Bernabeu crowd when he entered as a substitute. An online petition demanding 'Mbappe Out' has reportedly gained tens of millions of signatures, reflecting the strain in the relationship between the star and the fanbase.
Arbeloa attempted to downplay the incident, emphasizing his understanding of Mbappe’s emotions. '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,' he said. Drawing on his own experience as a player, Arbeloa added, '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. 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.'
The manager’s conciliatory tone may not be enough to quell the growing noise around Mbappe’s future. Since his high-profile arrival, the World Cup winner has been under the microscope, and recent performances have not met the towering expectations set by his transfer fee. The petition and the whistles from his own supporters suggest a supporter base losing patience, a dynamic that any incoming coach, including Mourinho, will need to navigate carefully.
For Real Madrid, the choice of Mourinho signals a desire for immediate impact and a return to a winning mentality. The club’s president, Florentino Perez, has reportedly been a long-time admirer and sees the Portuguese as the figure to restore order. Mourinho’s familiarity with the club’s culture and his proven track record in the Champions League make him a compelling, if controversial, appointment. His arrival would almost certainly trigger a summer overhaul, with question marks over several underperforming players.
The potential transition also highlights the unique position Arbeloa finds himself in. Openly welcoming a replacement while still in the job is rare in modern football, but it underscores his deep-seated loyalty to the club and its legends. His willingness to put the club’s interests ahead of his own could ease the managerial change, though it also lays bare the interim nature of his current role.
As the season winds down, all eyes will be on the Bernabeu hierarchy to finalize the deal. Mourinho’s return would not only reshape the team’s tactical identity but also reignite one of football’s most storied managerial tenures. For now, Arbeloa’s gracious admission has set the stage for a summer of transformation, while the Mbappe saga adds another layer of intrigue to a club never far from the headlines.
Based on reporting from BBC Sport.
