Jose Mourinho is being considered as a potential replacement for under-pressure Real Madrid head coach Zinedine Zidane, according to reports.
Zidane returned as Madrid head coach in March this year on a contract until summer 2022, replacing former team-mate Santiago Solari, and it was hoped the Frenchman could deliver the kind of success witnessed during his first spell as manager from 2016-2018.
During the 47-year-old’s initial stint at the Santiago Bernabeu, he guided Los Blancos to three consecutive Champions League titles and the 2016/17 La Liga trophy, further strengthening his legendary status at the Spanish giants.
In the summer transfer window, Madrid splashed out on Chelsea forward Eden Hazard, Eintracht Frankfurt’s Luka Jovic and Porto centre-back Eder Militao, with the trio costing close to a combined £200million.
Ferland Mendy and Rodrygo were also brought in from Lyon and Santos respectively for around £40m each.
However, despite the new additions, Zidane has struggled to get the team ticking and successive draws against Atletico Madrid in the league and then Club Brugge in the Champions League have heaped the pressure on the manager.
It is claimed that failure to win El Clasico on October 26 could spell the end of Zidane’s second stint in charge, leaving the door open for another former boss, Mourinho, to return.
The Portuguese, who has been out of work since being sacked at Manchester United in December 2018, managed Madrid from 2010-2013, delivering three trophies.
Reports are suggesting Mourinho would relish the opportunity to return to the Bernabeu as he feels he has unfinished business in Madrid.