Real Madrid News
Real Madrid could turn to Jose Mourinho if Carlo Ancelotti steps down – report
A recent report from La Repubblica (h/t Mundo Deportivo) has offered an interesting update on Jose Mourinho.
The revered Portuguese tactician is currently the head coach of AS Roma. However, according to the Italian newspaper, there is a chance he may leave the club at the end of the season.
This is because Mourinho is not sure about Roma’s project for the future. He also has a dysfunctional relationship with the club owners, all of which could culminate into his exit in 2023.
The report further explains that Real Madrid are one of the clubs that are closely monitoring the situation and could make a move for Mourinho at the end of the season, in the event of Carlo Ancelotti’s departure.
Ancelotti’s current contract at Santiago Bernabeu expires in 2024. Under the Italian, the Merengues secured a double last season, including the UEFA Champions League.
But the club have fallen behind in the race for the league title this term and did not have the best of endings to their group stage campaign in the UEFA Champions League.
Having been drawn against English giants Liverpool, an early exit from the Champions League could trigger a series of speculation about Ancelotti’s future at the club.
That is where Mourinho could come into the picture. The Portuguese tactician has managed Real Madrid in the past, notably recording a points-per-game ratio of 2.3 in 178 matches and securing the league title in 2011/12.
At Real Madrid, they have not forgotten Mourinho just yet and see him as a viable candidate to replace Ancelotti. However, the Portuguese’s potential return at Santiago Bernabeu is heavily reliant on the club’s form this season and how they finish the 2022/23 campaign.
As for his fate at AS Roma, Mourinho appears to be destined to leave the club at the end of the season. He has won 40 times in his 75 competitive matches in charge of the Giallorossi and led them to the UEFA Europa Conference League title last season.
Earlier today, Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti spoke openly about the rumours linking him to the vacant Brazil national team job.
The Italian tactician has emerged as the top target for the Selecao to succeed Tite, who was let go of after the FIFA World Cup 2022.
The president of the Brazil Football Confederation (CBF), Ednaldo Rodrigues, has made it clear that Ancelotti is the preferred candidate for the job.
Reacting to the same, Ancelotti, during his press conference today, said: “The reality is that the Brazilian national team wants me and I love it and I’m very excited about it, but then I have to respect the contract I have and I want to fulfil it.”
“I’m not surprised that there are these rumours. It doesn’t affect me, it doesn’t worry me. I’m just focused on fulfilling my duties with this club and with this team. I’m still here until Real Madrid allow me to stay.”
While the 63-year-old might be saying that he wishes to fulfil his contract at Real Madrid, which expires in 2024, he did not shy away from stating that he was happy about Brazil’s interest in him.
And now, Fabrizio Romano (h/t Madrid Zone) is reporting that the Selecao are ready to wait until June to go ahead with the appointment of Ancelotti.
While the Italian tactician remains in control at this point at Real Madrid, things could change drastically over the next couple of months.
The La Liga title looks already out of the Merengues’ hands while they are also trailing Barcelona in the Copa del Rey semi-final. If they fail to go all the way in the UEFA Champions League as well, Florentino Perez could decide to make some changes, starting with Ancelotti.
Hence, Brazil are happy to wait patiently until June and see how the situation is at that point and whether Ancelotti is available. With no major matches coming up for the Selecao until September, they can afford to wait as well.
