Jose Mourinho speculation heats up ahead of Benfica’s clash with Real Madrid
As Benfica prepare to face Real Madrid in the Champions League tonight, talk of Jose Mourinho potentially making a sensational return to the Bernabeu has started to gather pace, reports BritPanorama.
At 63, Mourinho is currently managing in Portugal, and his stock has diminished since his heyday in Europe’s top leagues. Following his success with Chelsea in 2015, he secured cups with Manchester United and Roma, but league titles have evaded him. Benfica currently find themselves seven points behind Porto in the Primeira Liga, casting doubt on their chances of success this season.
Mourinho today exuded a different persona compared to the charismatic figure who first made waves at Porto and later dominated with Chelsea and Inter Milan. His time at Real Madrid saw him win LaLiga in 2012, marking a rivalry with Pep Guardiola and Barcelona that defined his career at the time.
Despite this shift, Mourinho retains a spark of his old magic. He led Roma to a 4-2 victory over Madrid in January, underscoring his capability, and as Benfica face the Spanish giants again, he may just conjure another surprise.
Current whispers suggest that Mourinho could soon depart from the Benfica sidelines. Speculation regarding a return to Real Madrid is circulating particularly as the team struggles to perform at their usual level. Mourinho addressed these murmurs earlier in the week, stating, “Can you say no? Yes. Yes you can.” He reflected positively on his previous tenure at Madrid, acknowledging a lasting connection with the fans but asserting, “I gave everything to Real Madrid… that’s all.”
Mourinho’s relationship with Real president Florentino Perez is noteworthy, having first been appointed in 2010 after impressively defeating Guardiola’s Barcelona while at Inter Milan. Their connection has remained largely positive, despite Mourinho’s turbulent exit from Madrid after conflicts with key players like Iker Casillas and Sergio Ramos.
Reflecting on that turbulent exit, Mourinho recounted Perez begging him not to leave, stating, “Don’t leave, you’ve done the hard part and the best part is yet to come.” This history, entwined with a management pattern of relationships at Real, raises questions about the future.
Real Madrid’s past choices include reintegrating managers like Carlo Ancelotti and Zinedine Zidane, both of whom returned successfully after their initial stints. The prospect of Mourinho rejoining the club cannot be dismissed, especially given Perez’s inclination to revisit past managerial successes.
However, Real’s current squad faces discontent from supporters frustrated with player attitudes, notably targeting stars like Jude Bellingham and Kylian Mbappe. Mourinho’s potential to enforce discipline could be just the remedy for a team seemingly comprised of egos.
Focusing primarily on Benfica’s Champions League journey for now, Mourinho’s future at the club and possible return to Real Madrid remains an unfolding narrative.
As these dynamics play out, one wonders how the storied history of Jose Mourinho and Real Madrid will interlace again, making for a complex tapestry of football, ambition, and the quest for glory.
