It may be harsh to suggest that José Mourinho is nearing the end of the road, but the latter stages of his managerial career have certainly felt like a farewell lap.
In recent years, the Portuguese coach has moved between clubs outside Europe’s very top tier — including Tottenham Hotspur F.C., AS Roma, Fenerbahçe S.K. and current side S.L. Benfica.
Many believe Mourinho’s tactical approach belongs to another era, while others see his trademark drama — public feuds, mind games and calculated controversy — as something football has moved on from. But football has a habit of revisiting the past, and now Mourinho, 63, is reportedly being considered for a sensational return to Real Madrid CF.
And the biggest supporter of the idea? None other than club president Florentino Pérez.
Reports from journalists David Ornstein and Mario Cortegana revealed that Mourinho has emerged as Pérez’s preferred option for next season — news that has surprised many.
Mourinho’s first spell at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium between 2010 and 2013 brought mixed success. He delivered a La Liga title, but failed to secure the UEFA Champions League trophy. By the end of his tenure, tensions had risen, relationships were damaged, and the atmosphere around the club had become exhausting.
Mourinho himself once described those years as “tough, intense, almost violent.”
Still, Pérez may believe the club needs a familiar figure during an uncertain period. With interim boss Álvaro Arbeloa not viewed as a long-term solution and managerial recruitment proving difficult in a World Cup summer, Mourinho’s experience could be seen as a practical option.
Not everyone at Madrid is believed to support the idea — especially after Mourinho’s involvement in the fallout surrounding Madrid’s recent Champions League clash with Benfica
But history suggests one thing: when Florentino Pérez wants something at Real Madrid CF, he usually gets it.
Round two could be on the horizon.
