Real Madrid President Florentino Perez Eyes Jose Mourinho for Managerial Return

Following Real Madrid's Champions League exit and an 11-point deficit to rivals Barcelona in La Liga, head coach Alvaro Arbeloa is unlikely to continue beyond this season. According to The Athletic's David Ornstein, club president Florentino Perez is personally leading the search for a new manager to take charge in the 2026-27 campaign.

Perez aims to reverse the team's recent trophy drought, with Real Madrid set to complete a second consecutive season without major silverware. His preferred candidate to oversee the rebuild is former manager Jose Mourinho.

Mourinho previously managed Real Madrid from 2010 to 2013, securing the Copa del Rey, La Liga title, and Spanish Super Cup during his tenure. Since then, he has coached Chelsea for a second spell, Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur, AS Roma, Fenerbahce, and currently Benfica.

Internally, Real Madrid has also considered other candidates, including Mauricio Pochettino, Didier Deschamps, and Jurgen Klopp.