Jose Mourinho is said to want another crack at the Real Madrid job and it seems a stunning return to the Bernabeu could be on...
Jose Mourinho is said to want another crack at the Real Madrid job and it seems a stunning return to the Bernabeu could be on…
Real are looking for a new coach this summer following Xabi Alonso’s exit last year and Alvaro Arbeloa’s subsequent struggle to make the role his own.
Mourinho bossed Real between 2010 and 2013 and the 63-year-old feels he has unfinished business at the Bernabeu.
According to the bookies, Mourinho is now well placed to take over, the leading contender of these 10 favourites…
10) Zinedine Zidane
Zidane hasn’t managed since leaving Real Madrid, denying us all the opportunity to suss whether the French icon is a great coach, or a great Real Madrid coach. But Zizou is almost certainly biding his time for the France national team job after the World Cup.
9) Massimiliano Allegri
The AC Milan coach is said to have admirers in high places at the Bernabeu, with Florentino Perez and admirer of both the Italian’s tactical nous and, perhaps most importantly when it comes to Real, managing high-profile players.
8) Julian Nagelsmann
According to reports in Spain, Nagelsmann was the name gaining traction in Madrid, with Real keen to follow Barcelona’s lead in hiring a German coach with national team experience.
Of course, Nagelsmann’s focus right now is Die Mannschaft ahead of the World Cup, and he does have a contract until after Euro 2028. But the 38-year-old has been linked with a return to club football ever since he took the Germany job.
7) Andoni Iraola
The departing Bournemouth boss was linked with Real year before Alonso’s appointment and Iraola continued to enhance his credentials while making himself on of the most in-demand coaches this summer.
The Spaniard is a more recognisable name for supporters, but would he command respect from the egos in the Real dressing room?
6) Lionel Scaloni
Scaloni could certainly put his medals on the table for Real’s stars, the Argentina boss having coached his nation to World Cup glory, at Kylian Mbappe’s expense.
Scaloni is yet to extend his contract with Argentina but word is he is keen to wait until after the World Cup before deciding his future, which may be too late for Real.
5) Didier Deschamps
Deschamps is rather more certain to step aside after the World Cup, with Zidane waiting to replace him as France coach.
The World Cup-winning captain and coach was reported earlier in April to be on Real’s shortlist but noises from his camp suggest he’s certainly no shoo-in.
4) Jurgen Klopp
The ex-Liverpool manager has had his break and maybe the German is bored of the statesman slog with Red Bull. Apparently, not. That said, some reports suggested there are only two managerial jobs he would dip his toe back in for: Brazil and Real Madrid.
However, we jut can’t see Klopp going in at Real and tolerating the nonsense that comes with the territory at the Bernabeu.
3) Mauricio Pochettino
The USA boss is said to be a ‘dark horse’ to take over at Real and, importantly, he’s said to have the endorsement of Mbappe after the pair worked together at PSG.
Pochettino will most likely return to club management after the World Cup. He looked set to return to Spurs but the Argentine dodged that bullet and now seems to tick many of Real’s boxes.
2) Alvaro Arbeoa
Arbeloa stepped up from his Real Madrid Castilla role when Alonso was axed to take charge for the remainder of the season but the ex-Real and Liverpool defender has failed to convince Perez and co. that he is ready for the role beyond the summer.
You don’t go trophyless at the Bernabeu and expect to be kept on.
