Reports have linked the Portuguese with a return to the Bernabeu and Madrid’s president has praised his impact in his first tenure
Florentino Perez has praised Jose Mourinho for helping increase Real Madrid’s competitiveness in the midst of speculation linking the Portuguese coach with a return to the club, but he would not be drawn on whether talks are ongoing to bring the former coach back to the Bernabeu.
Speaking to La Sexta on Wednesday, Perez credited Mourinho’s previous spell in Madrid as a turning point for the club’s recent European success.
“I like all the coaches who’ve been with us,” Perez said. “He increased our competitiveness, that’s true, and from there we won six European Cups in 10 years.”
Mourinho managed Madrid between 2010 and 2013. Although the club won the Champions League the season after his departure, Perez linked that period to the team’s run of European dominance, including titles in 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2022 and 2024.
The 63-year-old, who is currently in charge of Benfica, has emerged as the leading candidate to replace Alvaro Arbeloa after another disappointing campaign for Madrid. The club’s 2-0 clásico defeat on Sunday confirmed Barcelona as La Liga champions and ensured Madrid would finish a second straight season without a major trophy.
Mourinho has publicly denied holding talks with Madrid, although reports in Spain suggest he remains on a shortlist of candidates for the role and the club have been in touch with his representatives.
“People say I’ve talked to Mourinho, that I’ve talked with the France national team coach [Didier Deschamps],” Perez said during the interview. “I get a lot of messages saying ‘sign Mourinho!’ And I get others saying I shouldn’t even think about it. But I don’t reply.”
Perez also defended the club’s recent decisions after a difficult season that saw Xabi Alonso dismissed in January and replaced by Arbeloa.
“I think the origin of it all is in the Club World Cup,” Perez said. “We didn’t have a pre-season. We had 28 injuries. We changed coach. We couldn’t recover our fitness.”
The Madrid president confirmed the club would strengthen the squad during the summer transfer window.
“Of course there’ll be signings,” Perez said. “There are always signings. We’ve always signed the best.”
