The irony of Real Madrid turning to Jose Mourinho in a time of crisis will not be lost on the footballing world. Few would have predicted the Portuguese as a footballing 'firefighter', given his reputation for lighting fires rather than extinguishing them.
A Controversial Career
Mourinho has won trophies at most clubs he has managed, but often at a high price. Controversies have followed him globally, with misconduct becoming his middle name. His star appeared to fall when elite clubs stopped calling, leading him to Tottenham, AS Roma, Fenerbahce, and Benfica.
Now, a familiar face has reappeared: Real Madrid, the biggest club of all. The Spanish giants are on the cusp of appointing Mourinho for a second time, with talks ongoing for months since Xabi Alonso's departure. A clause in his Benfica contract allows him to leave for £2.5 million shortly after the season's final game.
Crisis at the Bernabeu
Real Madrid are in crisis. Two seasons without silverware, and a dressing room in civil war. Vice captain Federico Valverde and Aurelien Tchouameni recently fought in training, leaving Valverde hospitalised. The incident has split the squad, while Kylian Mbappe's influence has become so toxic that over 70,000 fans signed a petition demanding his sale. Mbappe's decision to travel to Sardinia while recovering from a hamstring injury has not helped.
Desperate times call for desperate measures. But is Mourinho the right choice to restore class and calm? President Florentino Perez trusts Mourinho to stamp his authority, restore emotional control, and give the team a new identity. However, the return of Mourinho in such turbulent circumstances is deeply ironic.
Past Mistakes
Perez may have forgotten how Mourinho started his first spell with a one-match ban after Xabi Alonso and Sergio Ramos were sent off against Ajax. Or when he poked then-Barcelona assistant Tito Villanova in the eye during a 2011 Copa del Rey clash. In typical Jose style, he will inherit a problem of his own making: a broken relationship with star winger Vinicius Junior. Mourinho suggested Vinicius's behaviour caused racist abuse from Benfica fans, potentially leading to his sale.
First time around, Mourinho was sacked after less than three seasons when things turned toxic. Now Perez is prepared to take the plunge again in a move as bold and brave as it is bonkers. If Mourinho cannot prove he has learned from the past, the 13 years since his first appointment will prove unlucky for both parties.
