Speculation often swirls whenever Real Madrid hit a rough patch, and familiar names are never far from the conversation.
This time, Jose Mourinho found himself dragged back into the spotlight, but the veteran coach wasted no time making his position crystal clear — and he did it with a bit of dry humor.
“I Don’t Watch Soap Operas,” Mourinho Says
Asked whether a return to the Santiago Bernabeu could be on the cards, Mourinho brushed the idea aside with a sharp metaphor.
Speaking to Portugal’s Sport TV, the Benfica boss joked that he has no interest in football “soap operas.”
According to him, those stories drag on forever, and if you miss a few episodes, you lose the plot.
His message was unmistakable: don’t expect him to be part of any dramatic Real Madrid reunion narrative.
A Successful but Stormy First Spell in Madrid
Mourinho’s previous stint at Real Madrid, from 2010 to 2013, was anything but quiet.
Battling Pep Guardiola’s dominant Barcelona, he still managed to deliver a La Liga title, a Copa del Rey, and a Spanish Super Cup.
Beyond the trophies, his era is remembered for restoring Madrid’s edge in Europe, regularly pushing the club deep into the Champions League after years of frustration.
Turmoil Returns to the Bernabeu
Mourinho’s comments come at a tense moment for Real Madrid.
Despite sitting second in La Liga, the club recently parted ways with Xabi Alonso following a Spanish Super Cup final loss to Barcelona.
Reports of dressing-room tension only fueled the decision.
Former defender and Galactico Alvaro Arbeloa was handed the job, but his reign started painfully.
A shock Copa del Rey exit to second-division Albacete left supporters furious and restless.
Arbeloa’s Rocky Start as Head Coach
Arbeloa finally picked up his first win with a 2–0 victory over Levante, yet the atmosphere at the Bernabeu remained toxic.
Fans jeered, waved white handkerchiefs, and made their frustration clear — even with the score still level at halftime.
After the match, Arbeloa faced the criticism head-on.
He admitted the week had been poor and insisted fans had every right to voice their displeasure, placing the responsibility squarely on his own shoulders.
“I Have to Earn It Again,” Arbeloa Admits
The new coach acknowledged that his past as a popular player counts for little now.
He stressed that respect must be earned anew from the dugout, not inherited from memories on the pitch.
For Arbeloa, the whistles weren’t personal — they were directed at everyone.
And in his view, that relentless demand for excellence is exactly what makes Real Madrid such a powerful institution.
Arbeloa Defends Florentino Perez Amid Boos
One of the most striking moments at the Bernabeu was the crowd turning on club president Florentino Perez, alongside winger Vinicius Jr. Arbeloa was quick to defend the man at the top.
He argued that the criticism doesn’t come from people who dislike Perez, but from those who don’t truly support Real Madrid.
In his eyes, Perez stands alongside Santiago Bernabeu as one of the most important figures in the club’s history.
Perez’s Legacy and the Weight of Expectations
Arbeloa highlighted Perez’s trophy-laden tenure, pointing to seven European Cups and more than 60 titles across football and basketball.
For him, the president’s achievements speak louder than chants from the stands.
Notably, such open protests against Perez hadn’t been heard in the stadium since 2015, during Rafael Benitez’s time in charge.
Mourinho and Perez: A Complicated History
During Mourinho’s first spell, his relationship with Perez was widely seen as strong.
Still, the Madrid president has since been cautious when discussing a potential reunion.
Perez previously praised Mourinho for raising the club’s competitive level and guiding Madrid to three Champions League semifinals, while also stressing that rehiring him is not currently under consideration.
Life After Madrid for the Special One
Since leaving Spain, Mourinho has taken charge at Chelsea (again), Manchester United, Tottenham, Roma, Fenerbahce, and now Benfica.
His journey has been nomadic, intense, and always headline-grabbing.
At present, Benfica sit third in the Portuguese league behind Porto and Sporting Lisbon.
Their Champions League campaign has also faltered, leaving them outside realistic qualification hopes.
A Potential Reunion on the Pitch, Not the Bench
Ironically, Mourinho may still cross paths with Real Madrid soon — just not in the way some fans imagined.
Benfica are set to host Madrid later this month in one of their final Champions League fixtures, with Juventus also on the schedule.
For Mourinho, that matchup offers a familiar kind of drama — the kind played out on the pitch, not in the pages of a long-running soap opera.
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