Jose Mourinho 'In Talks' With Real Madrid As Pressure Ramps Up On Zinedine Zidane

Jose Mourinho could be on the verge of making a sensational return to Real Madrid to replace Zinedine Zidane, according to reports in Spain.

The 56-year-old Portuguese manager has been out of management since he was axed at Manchester United and has been working as a pundit for Sky Sports.

But the 'Special One' has once again been linked with Los Blancos in 'anticipation of Zidane's exit' from the club.

According to El Chiringuito TV, Mourinho is Madrid's No 1 target to replace 'Zizou' after the club's shock 1-0 defeat to RCD Mallorca on Saturday.

Mourinho was heavily linked with Madrid before Zidane's return last season and reportedly has a strong relationship with club president Florentino Perez.

Spanish newspaper Sport reported in August that the 72-year-old Perez was open to the idea of the ex-Chelsea and Inter Milan boss returning to Madrid this season.

Madrid have dropped to second in La Liga after their defeat to Mallorca, while defending champions Barcelona have climbed to the top of the league.

Zidane has been under intense pressure after the club's disappointing results, especially after a summer of heavy investment.

Madrid released funds from their war chest and splashed out on marquee summer signing Eden Hazard.

And Zidane also bolstered his squad options with the additions of Luka Jovic, Eder Militao, Ferland Mendy and Rodrygo.

Mourinho, who has also been linked with Tottenham, said in September that he would not return to Italy for his next role in management.

"Inter [Milan] is my home and [Massimo] Moratti remains both my president and friend," he told Tiki Taka.

"When I say he, I say family. It's as if he was my family, and I feel his family in a special way: everyone here is really special. My job also consists of finding the empathy I had with Inter fans. I give my all.

"I join a club, I take the shirt, I wear it and I live with that shirt.

"I haven't worked for seven, eight months so we'll see what happens, but I don't think I'll come back to work in Italy.

"It's a sensation, but I don't think my future will be in Italy."

Madrid will resume their Champions League campaign on Tuesday with a trip to Galatasaray.

Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics: Football News, Jose Mourinho, Zizou, Football, Special One, Zinedine Zidane, Real Madrid, La Liga

Adnan Riaz

Adnan Riaz is a journalist for SPORTbible. He studied for a B.A. in History at the University of York and followed it up with an M.A. in Multimedia Journalism at MMU. Before he started writing about sports, he spent over four years in the gaming press. He has worked for several publications, including Hardcore Gamer, LADbible and the Manchester Evening News. Follow him on Twitter to find out what he is working on next. Got a story tip for Adnan? Email him: [email protected]

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