Jose Mourinho has turned down the chance to return to Real Madrid as manager, according to media reports this week.
The Blues’ boss arived back in West London from Madrid in the summer of 2013, after three years at the Bernabeu, winning La Liga and the Copa del Rey once.
There are rumours of Carlo Ancelotti departing in the summer, after an unsuccessful season – which recently saw them drop out of the Champions League Semi-Finals to Juventus – could culminate in rivals Barcelona winning the treble, regaining dominance in La Liga once again.
The Italian coach has said that he unsure whether or not he will remain at Madrid next season, but it has been claimed that Madrid have already drawn up a list of possible replacements – with Mourinho among the leading candidates.
Guillem Balague, Sky Sports Football expert, stated Madrid have already contacted several candidates including Napoli coach Rafael Benitez and Julen Lopetegui of Porto.
“The idea is that Real now look for another coach – that is what normally happens when Real Madrid do not win,†said Balague.
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.â€