Real Madrid have drawn up a list of potential replacements for manager Carlo Ancelotti, and one of the names in the mix was Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho.
However, Mourinho rejected the La Liga club’s interest and reiterated his stance that he is happy to remain at Stamford Bridge for the long term.
The Portuguese tactician spent three seasons in charge of Real Madrid. During that time he was able to direct the club to the Spanish Super Cup, Copa del Rey and La Liga title.
However, Mourinho’s tenure in Spain was outshined by his numerous issues with the Spanish press and dust-ups with Real Madrid players.
Despite winning several trophies during his time at the Bernabeu, Mourinho’s time in Madrid is looked back on as a failure by most experts.
Regarding possible replacements for current Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti, Balague understands that the club has a list of potential managers in place. But club officials are in disagreement as to who would be best to lead the team forward.
“The idea is that Real [Madrid] now look for another coach – that is what normally happens when Real Madrid do not win,” Balague told Sky Sports Revista de La Liga.
“Real have spoken to Julen Lopetegui at Porto, to Jurgen Klopp, to Rafa Benitez and Jose Mourinho.
“They have already spoken to those four to see if they would be interested in coaching Real Madrid. They have spoken to Jose Mourinho – he said ‘no’ to them, of course.
“Out of those four, Rafa is favored by some but not others. Mourinho is favored by some and not by others; and Lopetegui is deemed as something for the future. But they have sounded out all of them.
“Klopp isn’t an automatic ‘yes’ for the job, and it may be a little bit too early for Zinedine Zidane.
“There was a plan at the beginning of the season, but Real Madrid Castilla haven’t been doing too well so, again, there is doubt.”
