SouthernWorldwide.com – Amidst intense speculation about a potential return to Real Madrid, former manager José Mourinho has received a notable endorsement from Álvaro Arbeloa, who is currently at the helm of the club.
Arbeloa, speaking to reporters in Madrid on Saturday, expressed his openness to Mourinho’s reappointment. “If he (Mourinho) is the one who is here next season, I will be happy to see him back home,” Arbeloa stated, hinting at the possibility of his own tenure being temporary.
Mourinho previously managed Real Madrid from 2010 to 2013. This period was marked by significant success, including Spanish league and Copa del Rey titles. However, it was also a time overshadowed by the dominance of Pep Guardiola’s Barcelona side.
Mourinho’s confrontational style, particularly towards rivals like Guardiola and even some of his own players, garnered both staunch criticism and unwavering support in Spain. Arbeloa, along with a segment of the club’s hardcore fanbase, was among his loyal backers.
Current rumors in Madrid’s sports media strongly suggest that Mourinho is the leading candidate to replace Arbeloa. Arbeloa himself was widely regarded as an interim coach, having been promoted from the club’s reserve team midway through the season to step in for the dismissed Xabi Alonso.
Real Madrid, currently in second place in the league, has two remaining Spanish league fixtures for this campaign. The team is set to conclude the season without securing any major titles.
Their upcoming matches include an away game against Sevilla on Sunday, followed by a home fixture against Athletic Bilbao on May 23rd.
The club, a 15-time winner of the European Cup, has faced a series of embarrassing incidents in recent weeks. These have included altercations between players and a significant loss to Barcelona, which ultimately allowed their fierce rivals to clinch the league title.
Furthermore, star striker Kylian Mbappé has reportedly been subjected to jeers from the fans. The French forward has also publicly voiced his dissatisfaction with Arbeloa regarding his playing time.
Club president Florentino Pérez has added to the perception of a club in crisis by announcing an early election. Pérez is widely expected to win these elections, but he has also been critical of the media, accusing them of orchestrating a campaign to force him out.
It is anticipated that Pérez will implement a coaching change in the near future. Many believe he sees Mourinho’s strong personality as precisely what the current squad needs to navigate these turbulent times.
Mourinho, who has previously led Porto and Inter Milan to Champions League triumphs in 2004 and 2010 respectively, is concluding his season with Benfica this weekend.
The 63-year-old Portuguese coach revealed on Friday that Benfica had offered him a contract extension. However, he indicated that he would make a decision regarding his future in the coming days.
When questioned about the possibility of Mourinho returning to Real Madrid, Arbeloa reiterated his consistent praise for the manager.
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“For me as a player, and above all as a Madrid supporter, I feel and think that he is the number one,” Arbeloa remarked, underscoring his high regard for Mourinho.
