According to AS, Jose Mourinho is in no hurry to return to being a manager and has already turned down offers from many clubs. It is believed that he is closely monitoring the situation at Real Madrid and would be more than happy returning to the Santiago Bernabeu.
The Spanish giants are struggling to make their mark in Europe or Spain since the start of last season. And the report claims that they will once again evaluate their managerial options in January, making Mourinho a potential candidate should Zinedine Zidane get sacked.
Zidane’s miserable second spell in charge of Real Madrid
Zidane, despite his lack of experience, became a managerial icon in Europe, after helping Real Madrid win three back to back Champions League titles from 2016-2018. However, the Frenchman’s tenure didn’t last long as he left the Bernabeu at the end of the 2017/18 campaign.
Real Madrid were one of the most disappointing top clubs last season as they failed to cope with the departures of both Zidane and Cristiano Ronaldo, notably slumping to Ajax in the Champions League. As a result, the club was forced to recall Zidane in March.
However, the 47-year-old has failed to reinstate any stability into the Real Madrid side that ended up losing four times in 11 matches following his arrival. This led to a massive spending spree in the summer. But questionable performances in the pre-season friendlies has brought forth a layer of uncertainty regarding the Frenchman’s future at the club.
Is Jose Mourinho the right replacement for Zidane?
Mourinho, unlike Zidane, is someone who likes his team to play pragmatic football. He focuses more on the off the ball movements and ball recoveries – qualities that are necessary for any top club across Europe. But, most importantly, the Portuguese international emphasises on the importance of transition play – something Barcelona are really proficient in.
In fact, the lack of transition from midfield to attack was one of the main reasons why Los Blancos struggled so much last season. This is where Mourinho could lay down his principle and make Real Madrid a well-rounded team.
Not to mention that the 56-year-old is one of the most experienced coaches in Europe, who has also coached Real Madrid before. And these factors play a critical role in making Mourinho an appealing replacement for Zidane, should the European giants sack him during this campaign.
