Back to Real Madrid? José Mourinho on “soap opera” speculation

One week has passed since Real Madrid parted company with former head coach Xabi Alonso, just seven months after handing the Spaniard a three-year contract.

Alonso’s former teammate, Álvaro Arbeloa, has been named his replacement but it’s not yet clear how long he has at the helm. There have been a number of big-name coaches forwarded as potential options for Madrid, including Jurgen Klopp and Enzo Maresca.

On Saturday former Real Madrid manager José Mourinho was asked for his take on speculation that he could be in line for a return to the Bernabéu. Mourinho, currently in charge of Benfica, denied that he would be interested in a return to the Spanish capital.

“Don’t count on me for soap operas. There are many good soap operas, but they take too long,” Mourinho said.

“Then you miss an episode or two and you lose track. Don’t count on me, I don’t watch soap operas.”

Mourinho spent three years in charge of Real Madrid from 2010 to 2013, an era that was dominated by Spain’s two biggest clubs. The Real Madrid-Barcelona rivalry became appointment viewing as Mourinho came up against Pep Guardiola in countless El Clásico clashes.

Mourinho won a LaLiga title, Copa del Rey, and the Spanish Super Cup during his time with Madrid. But despite those earlier successes, the Portuguese coach has slipping down the coaching hierarchy in recent seasons and would be an outlandish choice to take charge at the Bernabéu.