Real Madrid Consider Mourinho Return as Pressure Grows on Arbeloa
With Real Madrid out of the Champions League and now closer to third-placed Villarreal than league leaders Barcelona, questions about manager Alvaro Arbeloa are growing.
Arbeloa replaced Xabi Alonso in January, but his results have not been as good. Alonso left the club with a 74% win rate, while Arbeloa’s win rate has dropped to 64%. Even though Arbeloa has managed fewer league games, he has already lost more matches.
A surprise defeat to second-division side Albacete Balompié in the Copa del Rey also increased pressure on him, although the match came only two days after he became manager.
One name linked with the job is former Real Madrid coach José Mourinho, who is now managing SL Benfica in Portugal.
Mourinho coached Real Madrid between 2010 and 2013, winning La Liga, the Copa del Rey and the Spanish Super Cup. He is still respected by club president Florentino Pérez.
According to Spanish football expert Guillem Balagué, Perez cares more about winning and controlling the dressing room than style of play. He prefers experienced managers who can handle big stars and strong personalities.
Perez reportedly likes Mourinho because of his strong character and experience at the club. Mourinho is also believed to be interested in returning to the Santiago Bernabeu. However, sources say he is not the first choice and could only return if other options fail.
Other managers being linked with the job include Mauricio Pochettino, Didier Deschamps and Massimiliano Allegri.
Pochettino is currently managing the United States national team but is admired by people at Real Madrid because of his work with Tottenham, PSG and Chelsea.
Deschamps is also respected for the way he handles big players with the French national team.
Allegri is another experienced coach Real Madrid admire. Reports even suggest former Real Madrid midfielder Luka Modrić could return to the club if Allegri becomes manager, although both have denied the rumours.
Former Liverpool FC manager Jürgen Klopp has also been mentioned, but club officials reportedly feel his strong football ideas may not fit Perez’s vision for the team.
