Real Madrid hold talks with Jose Mourinho to replace Alvaro Arbeloa
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Image Credits: Imago ImagesWith Real Madrid out of the Champions League and sitting closer to third-placed Villarreal than La Liga leaders Barcelona, pressure is reportedly building on manager Alvaro Arbeloa.Arbeloa took charge in January after Xabi Alonso’s departure but has struggled to improve results, particularly in the league. Alonso left the Bernabéu with a strong win rate of 74%, while Alvaro Arbeloa has managed a lower return of around 64% and has already recorded more league defeats in fewer games.A shock Copa del Rey exit to second-tier Albacete has further intensified scrutiny, although that result came just two days into his tenure.As a result, speculation over possible replacements has already started.
Jose Mourinho, currently in charge of Benfica, is among the names linked, with reports suggesting he would be open to a return to Madrid for a second spell.Other managers mentioned include Mauricio Pochettino and former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp, although those links have been widely downplayed given Klopp’s current role as Red Bull’s global head of football.Argentina boss Lionel Scaloni has also reportedly emerged as an internal option, with Real Madrid said to have held direct talks with the 2022 World Cup-winning coach.According to Sky Germany, Mourinho remains a leading candidate in the background discussions, with Madrid president Florentino Pérez believed to be a strong admirer.The Portuguese manager has a release clause in the region of €3million, which could open the door for a summer exit. Intermediaries, including his agent Jorge Mendes, are also said to have already been involved in early discussions with the club.Real Madrid are searching for a coach who combines experience, a winning mentality, and international appeal, and José Mourinho is seen as a strong fit for that profile.In Madrid, the Portuguese coach still holds a strong reputation, largely due to his 2012 La Liga title win, when Real Madrid set a record 100 points and scored 121 goals under his leadership.For club president Florentino Pérez, Mourinho would represent an immediate solution, offering proven pedigree at the highest level without the need for a long adaptation period.However, any potential return would also depend on Benfica’s stance.
The Portuguese club are aware of growing international interest in their manager and may not stand in his way if a major offer arrives.For Mourinho, a move back to the Santiago Bernabéu would mark a return to a club that played a defining role in his managerial career.The 63-year-old began his coaching career as an assistant at FC Barcelona before rising to global prominence with FC Porto, where he won the Champions League in 2004 and was named World Coach of the Year.He went on to enjoy a highly decorated career, winning multiple league titles at Chelsea, completing a historic treble with Inter Milan in 2010, and guiding Real Madrid to the La Liga title in 2012 with a record-breaking points and goals tally.Jose Mourinho also lifted the Europa League with Manchester United in 2017, before spells at Tottenham Hotspur and AS Roma, where he won the UEFA Europa Conference League in 2022.During his current spell at Benfica, Mourinho has brought stability and structure to the squad, with the team showing improved organisation and resilience.While they are likely to finish as runners-up behind Porto in the league, his impact has been clear through stronger defensive performances, tactical discipline, and efficiency in key matches. Alvaro Arbeloa Jose Mourinho Real Madrid