Really, Guillem? Really?
Sky Sports resident La Liga expert Guillem Balague claims Real Madrid have approached Jose Mourinho to replace their current manager Carlo Ancelotti, only for the Chelsea boss to turn them down.
We’re not surprised that Mourinho isn’t in a rush to return to coach in the Spanish capital, having (allegedly) fell out with half the playing staff, a section of the fans and elements of the media during his three years at Madrid.
However, we’re very surprised the club has made an approach to replace the coach who replaced him.
Balague, speaking on TV after Barcelona won the La Liga title last night, with a 1-0 win away to Atletico Madrid, claims that Madrid have sounded out four highly regarded coaches, including Mourinho, but was flatly turned down by the Portuguese manager.
“The idea is that Real now look for another coach, that is what normally happens when Real Madrid do not win,” Balague said. “Real have spoken to Julen Lopetegui at Porto, to Jurgen Klopp, to Rafa Benitez and Jose Mourinho.”
“They have already spoken to those four to see if they would be interested in coaching Real Madrid. They have spoken to Jose Mourinho – he said no to them, of course.”
“Out of those four, Rafa is favoured by some but not others. Mourinho is favoured by some and not by others and Lopetegui is deemed as something for the future, but they have sounded out all of them.”
Current manager Ancelotti’s time at the Bernabeu seems to be up, despite winning the club’s first Champions League title in 12 years last season, failing to win a major trophy this season looks to have cost him. Mourinho took charge of the team in 2010, had unprecedented power as Madrid manager and managed to wrestle the league title from Pep Guardiola’s Barcelona in 2012.
However, the situation became sour the following year as rumours emerged of a breakdown in relations between Mourinho and club captains Sergio Ramos and Iker Casillas. He returned to Chelsea, strolled to the Premier League title this season and seemingly has no intention of returning to Madrid.
We’d selfishly like to see the Special One return to the Berbabeu, if only to get a sequel to one of our favourite books.
H/T Sky Sports.
