Real Madrid president Florentino Perez has ruled out an immediate return to the Santiago Bernabeu for Jose Mourinho, despite holding “good memories” of the Portuguese national’s spell in charge of Madrid.
Mourinho left Chelsea “by mutual consent” according to the English champions on Thursday, two years after returning to the Premier League from Madrid, where he won one La Liga title in three years in charge.
However, just as in his two spells at Chelsea, Mourinho courted plenty of controversy in the Spanish capital and left during a dressing room revolt lead by Madrid’s current captain Sergio Ramos, among others.
Madrid have failed to win the league since Mourinho left and currently trail leaders Barcelona and Atletico Madrid by five points in the title race.
Yet, despite rumours Madrid coach Rafael Benitez could be one more defeat away from the sack after just six months in charge, Perez insisted Benitez and not Mourinho is the man to turn Real’s fortunes around.
“No one can predict the future, but right now he will not be coming to Madrid,” Perez told Spanish radio station Cadena Ser.
“Benitez is capable of solving the problems we have. We are only contemplating that option.
“I have very good memories of Mourinho, he lifted our competitive level a lot. It wasn’t a dark period for the club as with him we returned to where we belong.”
Reports in Spain and France have suggested Madrid’s youth team coach and club legend Zinedine Zidane is best placed to take over from Benitez should results not improve in the coming weeks.
However, Perez suggested it is too early to hand the 43-year-old his first senior managerial role.
“He will for sure be a great coach one day and, moreover, will be the Madrid coach, but that time isn’t today,” he added.
“Despite what various press sources have agreed on, I repeat that Benitez was brought in to resolve a problem. Therefore, Benitez is the solution not the problem.”