Former Real Madrid boss Jose Mourinho has dismissed reports suggesting he could be set for a return to the Santiago Bernabeu to replace Alvaro Arbeloa.
The Portuguese tactician, who is currently in charge of Benfica after joining the club earlier this season, addressed the rumours following his team’s Liga Portugal victory over Rio Ave on Saturday night.
Reacting to questions from the media, Mourinho made it clear that he has no interest in being drawn into what he described as fabricated speculation. He urged journalists to stop linking his name to unfounded stories surrounding the Real Madrid job.
“Real Madrid?” He said, “Stop including me in your ‘soap opera,” he said via @MadridXtra on X as quoted by Sportskeeda.
Benfica’s win marked their first victory in three matches and came on the same day Arbeloa’s side secured a 2-0 win over Levante. Despite the positive results for both teams, speculation around the managerial situation at the Bernabeu has continued to swirl.
Mourinho previously took charge of Real Madrid after an immensely successful spell at Inter Milan, where he won three major trophies during the 2009–10 season. He later guided Los Blancos to the La Liga title in the 2011–12 campaign, setting records for the most points, goals scored, and wins in a single season.
The Portuguese coach left Madrid in 2013 before returning to Chelsea. In recent days, several high-profile managers have been linked with the Real Madrid role following the dismissal of Xabi Alonso last week.
Although former Castilla coach Alvaro Arbeloa is currently in charge, reports suggest club president Florentino Perez is keen on appointing Jürgen Klopp as the club’s next permanent manager.
