Former Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho has admitted a reunion with Real Madrid would be ‘a huge honour’ after ruling out a return to Portuguese football.
Mourinho was sacked by Manchester United last month after a poor start to the 2018/19 campaign and is now preparing for the next phase of his career.
Could Mourinho return to Los Blancos? Five key things to know…
- Mourinho had a successful spell at Real Madrid between 2010 and 2013.
- During his previous time at Los Blancos, the club won the 2012 La Liga title.
- The Portuguese tactician has ruled out a move to Benfica despite being linked to the job.
- Santiago Solari is the current head coach at the Santiago Bernabeu after a spell as caretaker.
- Mourinho has admitted he would be honoured to return to the Spanish giants.
Jose Mourinho is no stranger to returning to his former clubs after the charismatic coach went back to Chelsea for a second time in 2014, following a hugely successful stint in London between 2004 and 2007.
Although it is not thought Madrid are close to reappointing Mourinho, the former Los Blancos coach did confirm it would be ‘an honour’ to be invited back, while shutting the door on a potential move to Benfica.
“Today I have no intention of returning to Portugal,” Mourinho told Correio da Manha TV, following links to the Lisbon giants.
“Benfica aren’t an option for me today. [Returning to Madrid or Inter would be] a huge honour, but I’m talking to you and no-one else right now.
“When a coach or player returns to a club, it means they did something positive. That’s how I felt when I went back to Chelsea.
“When a professional returns or is invited to return to a club, it’s a great honour. If you’re asked back, it’s because they know your worth.
“Now I have the right to relax, wait, have time to critique myself and analyse everything I’ve gone through in the last few years with calmness, to be able to think and prepare for the next phase of my career.”
Would Real Madrid want the ‘Special One’ back?
Real Madrid, much like Manchester United, didn’t have the best start to the current season. After a five-game unbeaten run in La Liga to begin his tenure, Julen Lopetegui’s side failed to win any of the next five which included a 5-1 humiliation by rivals Barcelona.
That drubbing led to the dismissal of the former Spain boss, with Santiago Solari stepping in as caretaker. In Spain, clubs are only allowed to have a caretaker for two weeks so the Spanish giants made Solari’s position permanent after his initial fortnight was up.
It is unlikely that Solari will be the long-term choice at the Santiago Bernabeu, though, which could open the door for a Mourinho return. His recent record at Old Trafford and the perceived defensive nature of his tactics, however, could put Los Blancos off looking to a man who won the 2012 La Liga title with the club.
Real currently sit fifth in La Liga, a massive 10 points behind leaders Barcelona with 18 matches played.
The post Mourinho: Returning to Real Madrid would be an honour appeared first on Squawka News.
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