The walls of Madrid are whispering his name again – Jose Mourinho

Real Madrid are going through a turbulent period. The Spanish powerhouse saw their Champions League run end in the semi-finals at the hands of Bayern Munich, while their Copa del Rey campaign had already collapsed earlier.

In La Liga, the gap behind Barcelona has grown so large that a comeback feels unrealistic. All signs point toward another season without silverware – which would make it two in a row for the club.

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With results going south, pressure is mounting on president Florentino Perez. Discontent has started to spill into the stands at the Santiago Bernabeu, where sections of fans have openly called for him to step down. His position, once unquestioned, no longer feels entirely secure.

Much of the criticism is aimed at last summer’s rebuild, which has failed to deliver. The plan was clear: invest heavily in elite young players and usher in a new era under Xabi Alonso. Instead, the project unraveled quickly.

Alonso’s tenure lasted just half a year before ending, and the big-money arrivals – totaling close to €200 million – have yet to justify their price tags. In fact, during the decisive clash with Bayern, many of them watched from the bench.

What’s certain is that Madrid cannot afford another misstep in the upcoming transfer window, particularly when it comes to appointing a manager. The club isn’t necessarily searching for a tactical innovator, but rather a strong authority figure capable of managing a dressing room full of stars.

That’s where a familiar name resurfaces: Jose Mourinho. As reported by the Spanish outlet "Sport," the Portuguese coach – currently tied to Benfica until 2027 – is open to the idea of returning to Madrid, where he previously coached from 2010 to 2013. Within the club, there are still voices that remember his spell fondly and would welcome him back.

Although Mourinho is not Perez’s top target, the current instability could work in his favor. His profile fits the immediate needs of the team, and according to the same report, his candidacy is gaining momentum behind the scenes. One thing is beyond doubt: Perez’s next managerial choice has to be the right one.

Speaking about his future, Mourinho recently remained vague: "I can't say anything about that because it doesn't depend solely on me." For now, "Sport" claims there has been no direct contact between the two sides – but that situation could change at any moment.