Just when you think the summer manager’s merry-go-round has run out of surprises, a huge bomb is dropped in the center of the Spanish capital.
Real Madrid president Florentino Perez is actively plotting to bring Jose Mourinho back to the Santiago Bernabéu for a surprising second stint this summer, according to a surprising report from The Athletic.
The club has been operating under a potential state of tension since Xabi Alonso’s highly publicized chaotic departure in January.
Real Madrid are aiming to sign Jose Mourinho
The dressing room is in dire need of solid talent and the board is looking for an undisputed strongman who can command instant respect from a squad filled with world-class superstars.
Enter Mourinho. The 63-year-old is currently the manager of Benfica in his native Portugal, quietly reminding everyone of his uncanny ability to keep his team together and achieve results.
But while life in Lisbon may be comfortable, the appeal of restoring the world’s biggest club is something else entirely.
Perez has officially named the Portuguese tactician as the absolute candidate to take the reins.
For many fans, bringing Mourinho back feels like a huge step back in time.
His first stint at Real Madrid from 2010 to 2013 was pure box office, defined by intense media wars, bitter clashes with Josep Guardiola’s legendary Barcelona, and a spectacular La Liga title win that ended Barça’s absolute dominance.
Florentino Perez is a fan of the Portuguese coach
Perez has never hidden his deep admiration for Mourinho. Madrid’s president loves his manager, who completely protects the board from media scrutiny and acts as an absolute lightning rod for pressure.
Perez knows exactly what he will get from Mourinho, extreme discipline, a fierce winning mentality and promised fireworks.
Separating Mourinho from Benfica shouldn’t be a big financial hurdle for Madrid’s mega-rich club, making this a very real summer swoop.
It remains to be seen whether modern dressing rooms can cope with Mourinho’s notoriously demanding man-management style.
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