Liverpool boss Arne Slot could face off against Jose Mourinho next season if the Portuguese manager takes the Real Madrid job, potentially reigniting their rivalry from a few seasons ago.
Luke Thrower Trends Writer
15:52, 28 Apr 2026
Head Coach Jose Mourinho of SL Benfica during the Liga Portugal Betclic match between Benfica and Aves
Jose Mourinho's potential return to Real Madrid could reignite his rivalry with Arne Slot in the Champions League(Image: (Photo by Joao Rico/Icon Sport via Getty Images))
Jose Mourinho could be set for an astonishing return to Real Madrid this summer, as Los Blancos continue the search for a new head coach.
A report from The Athletic claims that the Portuguese coach is the "preferred candidate" for Real Madrid president Florentino Perez, making him a strong contender for the job.
It could mark a surprise return for the 63-year-old, almost 13 years on from his last stint at the Bernabeu, having since managed in England, Italy, Turkiye, and Portugal.
It remains to be seen whether Mourinho will land that job, but it could spark a renewed rivalry between him and Liverpool boss Arne Slot, three years on from a fiery encounter between the pair.
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The pair clashed back in 2023 during a Europa League match between Mourinho's Roma and Slot's Feyenoord, where a place in the semi-finals was up for grabs.
Feyenoord took a one-goal lead from the first leg at home, with Slot appearing to fire shots at the opposition manager with his comments about the style of play.
The head coach said, when asked whether he had watched much of Mourinho's Roma: "Their style of football achieves results, but I prefer to watch Manchester City and Napoli. I’m very honest on that.”
In true Mourinho fashion, he managed to get his side fired up for the second leg, securing a 4-1 victory at home to land a place in the semi-finals of the competition, where he went on to reach the final but lost to Sevilla on penalties.
Feyenoord coach Arne Slot, AS Roma coach Jose Mourinho during the UEFA Europa League quarterfinal match between AS Roma and Feyenoord
Slot and Mourinho clashed in the past(Image: (Photo by ANP via Getty Images))
Shortly after the game, in the tunnel, there was a heated exchange, as Mourinho was seen shouting "respect" to Slot several times on video footage of the encounter.
"You look at Napoli and Manchester City, but you should be watching us!" he added, creating plenty of angst in the tunnel, before things calmed down.
That encounter eventually calmed down, with Slot giving his assessment after the game and saying: "He apparently never heard that I also have a lot of respect for him as a trainer. He wins an incredible amount of trophies."
After calming down, Mourinho gave some kinder words and claimed, "They have good players and a good coach. They are deserved [Eredivisie] champions and they fought hard against us. It was two great matches. They made it very difficult for us.”
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However, that rivalry could be reignited if Mourinho takes up the Real Madrid job and gets drawn against Liverpool in next season's Champions League.
Liverpool is closing in on qualification for the competition next season, and there is a chance of a reunion during the league phase, with two teams from each pot being drawn out against the Reds.
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One of those from pot one this season was Real Madrid, and should a repeat be on the cards, then there could be a return to the war of words between Slot and Mourinho.