Jose Mourinho targets Real Madrid return in Florentino Perez talks
Jose Mourinho has held talks with Real Madrid president Florentino Perez regarding a return to the Bernabeu to resolve escalating dressing room unrest.
The Portuguese coach is considered the leading candidate to take permanent charge following Xabi Alonso’s departure in January.
Los Blancos are currently enduring a turbulent interim spell under Alvaro Arbeloa, whose chances of retaining the position were severely damaged by a Champions League quarter-final exit to Bayern Munich.
Their domestic situation is equally precarious, with fierce rivals Barcelona positioned to secure a second consecutive La Liga title if they win Sunday’s upcoming El Clasico.
Training ground tensions escalate
Discipline within the Spanish giants’ squad has spiralled out of control in recent months.
Tensions reached a boiling point this week when Federico Valverde was hospitalised and required a wheelchair following an altercation with team-mate Aurelien Tchouameni.
The former Chelsea and Manchester United manager believes his strict leadership approach can restore much-needed harmony to the fractured environment.
According to reports, the current Benfica boss has already shared his explicit views with Perez on how to handle Tchouameni, Valverde and France forward Kylian Mbappe.
Contract demands and squad rebuild
Mbappe has faced growing frustration from sections of the Bernabeu fanbase regarding his perceived lack of work ethic, despite finishing as the top scorer in this season’s Champions League.
Any incoming manager will also have to navigate significant squad turnover, as Antonio Rudiger, David Alaba and Dani Carvajal approach the end of their current contracts.
Furthermore, a serious knee injury to Ferland Mendy is expected to completely rule the French defender out of the forthcoming campaign.
To oversee this transitional period, the 61-year-old has reportedly presented Perez with a list of ten demands, including a guaranteed two-year contract.
If negotiations collapse, outgoing France manager Didier Deschamps has been identified as a viable alternative for the managerial vacancy.