Mansion Sports – Jose Mourinho is reportedly the leading candidate to return to Real Madrid as head coach if Alvaro Arbeloa is dismissed.

Club president Florentino Perez is reportedly the main driving force behind the effort to recruit the current Benfica manager to improve the squad’s performances after a difficult season.

With an affordable contract release clause, 'The Special One' could be preparing for a sensational second chapter at Santiago Bernabeu.

Mourinho Could Return to the Bernabeu

Mourinho is being strongly linked with a sensational return to Real Madrid as the club prepares to make managerial changes.

Although the veteran coach is currently under contract with Benfica, The Athletic indicates that Perez has identified him as the primary target to take over the first team this summer.

This potential appointment comes at a time when the club is searching for a proven winner to stabilize a project that has struggled to maintain consistency.

Mourinho, who managed Los Blancos between 2010 and 2013, has maintained a close relationship with Perez.

His availability is supported by a special clause in his Benfica contract, which reportedly allows a departure for a fee of around €3 million within ten days after the season ends.

Perez Identifies Arbeloa’s Replacement

The trigger for this search is the uncertainty surrounding Arbeloa’s future as permanent manager at Santiago Bernabeu.

Arbeloa was appointed head coach in January 2026 following the dismissal of Xabi Alonso, but he has struggled to turn the team’s situation around.

With Madrid expected to finish a second consecutive season without a major trophy, Perez is likely to choose an elite and high-profile figure to restore the club’s competitiveness.

Although Arbeloa remains a respected figure within the club structure, the management believes the senior squad requires a more experienced hand to guide the transition of young talents into world-class players.

Perez views Mourinho’s psychological approach and uncompromising standards as the ideal solution to the lack of resilience currently seen in the squad.

The club president is reportedly leading the recruitment process directly, similar to previous interventions during periods of high pressure at the club.

Mourinho’s Lasting Legacy at Madrid

During his first spell in Spain, Mourinho famously broke Pep Guardiola’s Barcelona dominance by winning the 2011-12 La Liga title with a record of 100 points and 121 goals.

His tenure was marked by an aggressive counter-attacking style and mental toughness that led Madrid to three consecutive Champions League semifinals.

Although he departed controversially in 2013, many supporters view his era as a turning point that restored Madrid’s status as a global powerhouse.

Not the Only Candidate

The final decision regarding Real’s next coach is expected to be announced shortly after domestic competitions conclude.

Arbeloa is expected to lead the remaining matches before an official announcement on the new leadership is made, although Mourinho is not the only prominent option among the club’s behind-the-scenes staff.

Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni has also been linked with the position, along with Stuttgart’s Sebastian Hoeness, while The Athletic also reports that USMNT coach Mauricio Pochettino is being considered at the Bernabeu.