News Focus
- Mourinho insists on a two-year contract to avoid looking like a temporary solution.
- The Portuguese coach demands complete control over team selection without interference.
- He plans to bring seven new members to his backroom staff and remove current fitness coach Antonio Pintus.
- Up to seven first-team players could face the exit door under his proposed shake-up.
- He will only communicate directly with club president Florentino Perez.
Jose Mourinho has opened talks with Real Madrid just days after denying any contact with the Spanish giants. The current Benfica manager is now the leading candidate to take over from Alvaro Arbeloa at the Santiago Bernabeu this summer.
Club president Florentino Perez strongly supports bringing the Portuguese coach back for a second spell. Last week, Mourinho stated he had not spoken to anyone at the club. However, fresh reports suggest he held a video meeting with Madrid officials on Tuesday.
During this call, Mourinho laid out his strict requirements for returning to the Bernabeu. He is willing to accept the job, but only under specific conditions. The coach wants a two-year deal. He believes this length shows he is not a quick fix, but also avoids a long-term commitment.
Mourinho also wants total freedom to pick his starting eleven without pressure from above. He plans to bring his own team of seven coaches with him. Perez has reportedly suggested that current caretaker boss Arbeloa could join this new backroom setup.
However, fitness coach Antonio Pintus would leave. The club brought Pintus back in January to help with injuries, but results on the pitch have not improved. Mourinho also wants direct access to the medical department and insists on dealing only with Perez. He refuses to work through advisor Anas Laghrari or general manager Jose Angel Sanchez.
Preseason plans are another sticking point. Mourinho wants to decide where the team travels, avoiding long trips to the Middle East or North America. He also needs permission to sell up to seven squad members he considers below the required level.
Several players face uncertain futures. Antonio Rudiger, David Alaba and Dani Carvajal could leave when their contracts expire. Dani Ceballos is also expected to depart. Youngsters Fran Garcia, Eduardo Camavinga, Franco Mastantuono, Gonzalo Garcia and Raul Asencio may also struggle to keep their places in the defence.