Journalists Jorge C. Picon (primarily associated with AS) and Marca reporter Sergio Valentin have jointly reported that Real Madrid's management is clearly disappointed with the team's performance this season. President Florentino Perez and other key board members had higher expectations for Mourinho's return, especially since the coach reportedly had complete autonomy in assembling the squad this summer.
The main criticism focuses on the team's playing style, which the club believes does not meet its ambitions and is too similar to last season's approach. Last season, Real Madrid's performance was disappointing, ultimately failing to win any trophies. Although the players still support the coach internally, management is increasingly concerned about the team's lack of a clear playing style.
According to Valentin, Florentino Perez is already preparing for a potential parting of ways behind the scenes. The club president has also confided in those close to him that he has a clear successor in mind for the coaching position: Didier Deschamps.
The 56-year-old Frenchman has been out of work since leaving the French national team after 14 years in charge. Deschamps led France to the 2018 World Cup title and reached the final of the 2022 World Cup. He left the French team after the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, where the team finished second. At the time, he specifically stated that his resignation was not due to athletic reasons, but because of a difficult external environment, and he did not want to cause further harm to the national team.
After 9 league rounds, Mourinho and Real Madrid are already 7 points behind leaders Barcelona and face a crucial stretch of fixtures. After the Champions League match against RB Leipzig, the team will play an away Clasico against Barcelona next Sunday.
This match could determine the Portuguese coach's future. Since returning to Madrid, Mourinho has won 9 of 11 official matches. However, if Real Madrid delivers another disappointing performance against Barcelona in this highly anticipated clash, according to the latest rumors, Mourinho's early departure would be a realistic possibility.
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