Mourinho as the Main Candidate to Replace Arbeloa at Real Madrid, With an Accessible Clause at Benfica

Florentino Pérez is making moves: Mourinho emerges as a strong candidate to replace Arbeloa at Real Madrid, and the hope for the Sixteenth.

Is Mourinho returning to Real Madrid?

Amid the turmoil that has engulfed Real Madrid since Xabi Alonso's departure, names are starting to circulate regarding the club's possible options to replace the interim manager-turned-head coach, Álvaro Arbeloa.

José Mourinho is once again making headlines in the Madridista universe. According to journalist David Ornstein in The Athletic, the Portuguese is in a privileged position to become Álvaro Arbeloa's successor as the head coach of Real Madrid. The information suggests that Florentino Pérez has personally taken charge of the selection process and considers 'The Special One' to be the right man to bring the club back to the path of success, just as he did during his first stint between 2010 and 2013.

Mou's achievements at Madrid

In that cycle, Mourinho won a League and a Copa del Rey against Pep Guardiola's Barcelona, although he missed out on the Champions League after consecutive and painful defeats to Barcelona, Bayern Munich, and Borussia Dortmund. Now, the president dreams that it will be the Portuguese coach who lifts the much-anticipated Sixteenth, a goal that would mark a triumphant return for him.

José Mourinho durante un partido con el Benfica.

Mourinho's contract

The coach's contract situation plays in favor of the merengue team. The Portuguese only has a buyout clause of 3.5 million dollars and could be free after the last match of the season is played, to be precise, ten days later. This small detail could mean a viable option for Florentino Pérez, and considering that Mourinho has already had a stint with the team, it makes him a possible candidate.