Real Madrid decide on two shock alternatives in case Jose Mourinho deal falls through

Real Madrid have decided on two surprise alternatives if they cannot appoint Jose Mourinho as their new manager.

Mourinho has reportedly been in talks with Real for weeks over replacing Alvaro Arbeloa at the end of the current season.

The Portuguese boss, who is currently in charge of Benfica, has repeatedly denied in public that he has spoken to club president Florentino Perez but, according to BBC Sport, he is now in 'final negotiations' to return for what would be a second spell at the Bernabeu.

He is even said to have laid out a list of 10 major demands to Perez, including the ability to bring his own staff to the club.

While it seems almost certain that Mourinho will be the next manager in the dugout at Los Blancos, a deal is not done yet.

Real identify two Mourinho alternatives

According to Spanish journalist Raul Varela, Real have identified two left-field alternatives in case negotiations to appoint Mourinho unexpectedly fail.

One of them is club legend Raul, who was previously in charge of the club's Castilla side for six years between 2019 and 2025.

The Spaniard left the club entirely after being overlooked for the Real job in favour of Xabi Alonso last summer.

Castilla twice lost in the third-tier promotion play-offs during his stewardship.

In their statement announcing the departure of the legendary former striker, who scored over 300 goals for the club, Real spoke exceptionally fondly of Raul.

They stated that it was an 'honour to have one of the greatest legends in our history and in world football as a coach and mentor for our academy'.

"Raul also exemplifies all the values of Real Madrid. These are values he has also passed on as a coach," the statement continued.

Raul managed Real Madrid Castilla - the club's 'B' squad - between 2019 and 2025 (Image: Getty)

"Raul will always be in the hearts of all Madrid fans and Real Madrid will always be his home. Real Madrid wishes Raul and his family all the best in this new stage of his life."

The second alternative, meanwhile, is American coach Pellegrino Matarazzo, whose rapid rise up the footballing pyramid saw him be appointed as Real Sociedad manager last year.

The 48-year-old guided Sociedad to the Copa del Rey title earlier this year, becoming the first American to win a trophy across Europe's top five major leagues.

Sociedad are currently in eighth place in La Liga and on course to qualify for next season's Conference League, though they can still make it into the Europa League depending on results elsewhere.

Varela claims that Matarazzo is seen as a 'modern option' not by Perez, but by one of his 'most trusted advisors'.

It is said that the coach is 'liked within the club', though conceded that his arrival as Real manager 'seems impossible' despite that fact.

As for Raul, the club's board is said to describe him as 'having the right profile to address the current needs'.

Should things run smoothly with Mourinho, however, the status of either candidate will not progress any further - but Real clearly have back-up options available in case an agreement cannot be reached.