During an interview on Spanish television this Wednesday, Real Madrid president Florentino Pérez expressed admiration for José Mourinho, stating he “enhanced our competitiveness” while speculation continues regarding Mourinho’s potential return to the club.
Mourinho is a leading candidate to take over from Álvaro Arbeloa as Madrid faces yet another season without a major trophy, following Sunday’s 2-0 loss to Barcelona which secured the LaLiga title for their rivals.
Pérez made his remarks a day after a controversial press conference in which he claimed the media has launched a campaign against him and announced upcoming presidential elections to allow club members to support him.
Pérez reflected on Mourinho’s previous tenure, stating, “I appreciate all the coaches who have been with us. Mourinho truly boosted our competitiveness, and as a result, we secured six European Cups in ten years.”
Mourinho managed Madrid from 2010 to 2013, and although the team clinched the Champions League a year after his departure, they went on to win it three times consecutively between 2016 and 2018, and again in 2022 and 2024.
Currently managing Benfica, Mourinho has denied any discussions with Madrid. However, sources inform ESPN that he is among three frontrunners for the Bernabéu position.
Pérez humorously remarked, “You’re persistent about Mourinho!” in response to inquiries about the possibility of Mourinho returning. “People claim I’ve had talks with Mourinho and with the France national coach [Didier Deschamps]. I receive mixed messages urging me to sign Mourinho or cautioning against it. But I don’t respond.”
He acknowledged that the current season has not met expectations, yet he defended last summer’s hiring of Xabi Alonso, who was let go in January and succeeded by Arbeloa, asserting that it was not a misstep.
“The problems began with the Club World Cup,” Pérez explained. “We lacked a pre-season, faced 28 injuries, changed coaches, and struggled to recover our fitness. Playing every Wednesday and Sunday led to injuries, and our fitness level was inadequate.”
“Absolutely, there will be signings,” Pérez continued. “There’s always room for new talent. We have consistently signed top players. I brought in Figo, Zidane, Ronaldo, and Beckham. During my second tenure, I acquired Cristiano Ronaldo, Kaka, and Benzema. When a great player is available, I pursue them.”
Pérez acknowledged that his recent media appearance, which included a heated exchange with a journalist, revealed “a different side of Florentino.”
He defended Kylian Mbappé, stating he is “the best player Madrid has at the moment,” and dismissed any urgency to negotiate a new contract with Vinícius Júnior, whose current contract extends until 2027.
“Vinícius is an immense talent for Madrid. He played a crucial role in our last two European victories. There’s no rush; we will finish this season and have another to discuss,” Pérez stated.
On Wednesday, Enrique Riquelme, a Madrid member and potential candidate for presidency, sent Pérez a letter urging for an extended electoral timeline, which was shared with the media. He suggested that the current rules require candidates to announce their candidacies within ten days, followed by a two-week campaigning period for contested elections. “Madrid fans deserve time, peace, and consideration,” Riquelme asserted, advocating for “dialogue” with Pérez to facilitate a more inclusive electoral process.