Real Madrid dressing room stance on Jose Mourinho as 'true feelings' emerge

The Real Madrid squad’s supposed feelings about José Mourinho have emerged as the Portuguese is linked with a return to Los Blancos.

Earlier this week, reports emerged linking the 63-year-old, who currently coaches Benfica, with a return to his former club, which he previously managed between 2010 and 2013.

Back then, Mourinho was one of the most sought-after coaches in European football, even pipping Pep Guardiola’s side – made up of Lionel Messi, Xavi and Andrés Iniesta – to the 2011/12 La Liga title, having also beaten the Catalans in the Copa del Rey final the year prior.

Thirteen years on from his departure, Mourinho’s stock has fallen somewhat, with the Portuguese managing lesser teams such as Roma, Fenerbahçe and, more recently, Benfica.

But while uncertainty surrounds Real Madrid head coach Álvaro Arbeloa’s future, with the club set to finish their second successive season without silverware, The Athletic reports that Real president Florentino Pérez favours Mourinho over other candidates to become the 15-time European champions’ next head coach – although other club decision-makers are not so keen.

Mourinho is under contract at Benfica until June 2027, with a reported €3 million break clause included, allowing him to break the deal up to 10 days before the climax of the current campaign.

Real Madrid players' true feelings on Mourinho

While Pérez appears to be open to the idea of Mourinho being appointed for a second time, reports suggest members of the dressing room do not share the same view.

As reported by Spanish outlet Cadena SER journalist Gonzalo Álvarez, the general consensus among the Real Madrid squad is they would prefer to see former Liverpool boss Jürgen Klopp replace Arbeloa rather than the pragmatic Mourinho.

The journalist explained: “Mourinho is a ticking time bomb, and in a dressing room where some players act a certain way and others are selfish, a guy like him could come in and clash with them. And they know.

“Florentino knows that Klopp is the one who excites people, and he knows that if Mourinho comes, after just three weeks, all the noise surrounding Mourinho will make everyone forget a little about everything that has happened.”

Meanwhile, Turkish media claim that Arda Güler is among the players who have reportedly spoken directly to club management about Mourinho’s ‘misaligned’ approach and playing style.

USMNT head coach Mauricio Pochettino, France boss Didier Deschamps and Argentina’s Lionel Scaloni are also highly thought of by Real’s hierarchy.

Real are next in action away at Espanyol on May 3.