Jose Mourinho has already reportedly discussed three players with Real Madrid president Florentino Perez ahead of a possible summer appointment. The former Chelsea and Manchester United manager is said to be the leading candidate to take over permanently following Xabi Alonso’s departure, with Los Blancos currently enduring a turbulent interim spell under Alvaro Arbeloa.
Arbeloa’s hopes of turning his temporary role into a long-term position have not been helped by Real’s Champions League quarter-final exit to Bayern Munich. Meanwhile, Barcelona could secure a second consecutive La Liga title if they defeat their rivals in Sunday night’s El Clasico. But Real’s biggest problem has arguably been the dressing-room issues Alonso left behind in January - problems that have since spiralled out of control.
Training ground bust-ups have become a regular occurrence, with tensions finally exploding when Federico Valverde was hospitalised following an altercation with Aurelien Tchouameni earlier this week. Mourinho believes his strict management style could restore order, and he has already held discussions with potential club chiefs about players who may cause the biggest issues if he takes charge.
Real Madrid's Federico Valverde and Aurelien Tchouameni Related
Real Madrid Confirm Valverde Suffers 'Traumatic Brain Injury' After Tchouameni Fight
The two players clashed in training this week, with one hospitalised and needing a wheelchair.
Mourinho Already Discussed Three Key Players With Perez
Jose Mourinho
A number of first-team players are out of contract this summer, including Antonio Rudiger, David Alaba and Dani Carvajal, while Ferland Mendy’s serious knee injury could rule him out for the entirety of next season. According to TEAMtalk - who also claim outgoing France manager Didier Deschamps is an alternative candidate for the role - Mourinho has already shared his views on the futures of Tchouameni, Valverde and Kylian Mbappe.
The Portuguese coach is reportedly “convinced” that his personality, experience and demanding standards would quickly restore order and harmony within the squad, steadying the ship after months of turmoil behind the scenes. Real’s hierarchy are also said to be growing increasingly frustrated with the way Mbappe has been treated by sections of the fanbase, who believe he lacks the work ethic to be a star at the Bernabeu, despite finishing as the Champions League top goalscorer to help him in the running for a Ballon d'Or.
kylian mbappe
Mourinho believes he can tick one of the most important boxes for any incoming Real Madrid manager - being capable of bringing the dressing room, supporters and wider institution back onto the same page and drawing a line under the growing unrest at the club.
Mourinho Also Made Several Demands ahead of his Expected Hire
Real Madrid players
Talk of a return to the club for Mourinho, who is currently in charge of Benfica, has ramped up in recent weeks and he is said to have laid out a list of 10 demands in talks with president Perez, including that he signs a minimum two-year contract and that he is given free rein to solve reportedly major structural issues within the club's medical department, which has blamed for an increased number of injuries.
It is also claimed that Mourinho only wants to speak with Perez, and will not accept, under any circumstances, any interference from players in his team selections, as there is a fear that too many hands are on the steering wheel in the Spanish capital.