Jose Mourinho secured Benfica's passage into the Champions League knockouts by downing Real Madrid - and the Spanish giants could consider turning to the Special One in the summer
Jose Mourinho is currently in charge at Benfica
Jose Mourinho is currently in charge at Benfica(Image: Getty Images)
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Jose Mourinho could land himself a return to Real Madrid this summer with the Spanish giants eyeing up their next permanent boss.
The Special One, now in charge at Benfica, spent three years at the helm with Los Blancos before leaving in 2013. Real recently axed Xabi Alonso, replacing him with Alvaro Arbeloa, but are likely to pursue a major name come the summer.
Mourinho was a hit at the Bernabeu, even if he did miss out on winning the Champions League, and recently showcased his magic as he beat them in Europe with his Portuguese outfit, who qualified for the knockout play-offs as a result.
Spanish outlet AS claim that Real could come calling once the season ends as they seek someone to occupy the dugout with Mourinho's stature, aura and experience ensuring he would not struggle to manage a dressing room of huge egos.
Despite that he has recently claimed he is not considering a return to the Bernabeu. He said: “Don’t count on me for soap operas. There are good soap operas, but they are very long. You miss a chapter or two and then you lose the thread. Don’t count on me, because I don’t watch soap operas.”
It is also understood that the ex-Chelsea boss could be consider for the Portugal job, should that become vacant. However, the role is only likely to become available if Roberto Martinez’s Portugal flop at the World Cup this summer.
Mourinho himself has never worked on the international scene but has been vocal about a desire to one day lead his country. He recently said: "I’m honest, I always thought I would be back to Portugal. But I always thought I would come back to the national team. I knew that the national team would come sooner or later. It come before, I didn’t, I couldn’t accept. I was thinking one day it will happen. I think it is a natural consequence of my career. [But] it happened to be Benfica. A giant club."
The Special One was previously a success at Real Madrid
The Special One was previously a success at Real Madrid(Image: Getty Images)
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But should Real come calling then it would present the Special One with his best chance to land multiple trophies for almost a decade. He's recently held the reigns at the likes of Benfica, Fenerbahce, Roma and Tottenham - but none of them were considered Champions League challengers.
A move back to the Bernabeu would see him have the likes of Kylian Mbappe and Jude Bellingham at his disposal. Real are facing the prospect of a trophyless season having been dumped out of the Copa del Rey. The trail Barcelona in La Liga and must negotiate the play-off phase in the Champions League.
Mourinho won 71 percent of his game when he was in charge of the Spanish side and his team of 2012/13 still holds the record for points and wins amassed in a season.
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