Real Madrid President Florentino Pérez has identified José Mourinho as his primary target to succeed Álvaro Arbeloa as head coach, according to sources familiar with the matter.

The move signals a significant shift in the club's internal dynamics. While the appointment of Xabi Alonso’s successor, Arbeloa, was a collaborative process led by General Manager José Ángel Sánchez, the pursuit of Mourinho is being driven directly by Pérez. Arbeloa, who transitioned from the reserve team to the senior role in January, is widely expected to be relieved of his duties following a disappointing campaign.

A Bid to Restore Elite Status

The push for Mourinho comes as Real Madrid faces a rare period of stagnation. The club is on track to finish a second consecutive season without a major trophy—missing out on La Liga, the Champions League, and the Copa del Rey. Pérez reportedly views Mourinho as the catalyst needed to rebuild a project he considers to be "in disrepair."

Mourinho’s previous tenure at the Santiago Bernabéu (2010–2013) was marked by high-intensity success, including:

• The 2011-12 La Liga Title: Achieved with a then-record points total.

• Three Trophies: Restoring the club's domestic competitiveness against a dominant Barcelona era.

• Tactical Discipline: A hallmark of his leadership that Pérez hopes to reintroduce.

Internal Friction and Recent Controversy

Despite the president's backing, the prospect of Mourinho’s return is not without opposition within the club. Critics point to the divisive nature of his first stint, specifically his high-profile fallout with club legend Iker Casillas, which fractured the dressing room and alienated portions of the fanbase.

Furthermore, Mourinho’s current season at Benfica has been clouded by controversy. In February, he faced widespread backlash for suggesting that Real Madrid forward Vinícius Júnior "incited" an incident in which the player alleged racial abuse by Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni. While UEFA eventually suspended Prestianni for six matches based on homophobic conduct, Mourinho’s handling of the situation remains a point of contention for many in the Madrid hierarchy.

Contractual Logistics and Alternative Candidates

Mourinho is currently under contract with Benfica until June 2027. However, a specific break clause in his agreement—valued at approximately €3 million—allows either party to terminate the deal within 10 days of the season's conclusion, making a move to Madrid financially feasible.

Should a deal for the 63-year-old fail to materialize, the club has several high-profile names on its shortlist:

The potential appointment of Mourinho would continue a recent trend of "legacy hiring" at the Bernabéu, following the return of figures like Zinedine Zidane and Carlo Ancelotti. With the season drawing to a close, the decision rests on whether Pérez can convince the dissenting voices within the club that Mourinho's brand of leadership is the remedy for Madrid’s current trophy drought.