The dust had barely settled at Spotify Camp Nou when the seismic news broke: Real Madrid's humiliating defeat to FC Barcelona not only handed the Catalans the La Liga title but also set the stage for a potential managerial revolution. After a season marked by dressing room turmoil and a trophy drought that feels like an eternity for Los Blancos, club president Florentino Perez is preparing to swing the axe.
All signs point to a sensational return: Jose Mourinho. According to journalist Ben Jacobs, talks between Perez and Mourinho's agent, Jorge Mendes, have reached an advanced stage. This comes despite the current Benfica boss publicly denying any contact—a classic pre-negotiation poker face that fans know all too well.
Perez sees Mourinho as the catalyst for a much-needed cultural shift. The Special One, who famously led Real Madrid to the 2011-12 La Liga title, is being eyed to replace Alvaro Arbeloa, who will depart at season's end. More meetings are scheduled this week as both camps work to finalize what would be one of football's most dramatic homecomings.
But Mourinho isn't walking through the Bernabeu doors without conditions. Reports from AS reveal two non-negotiable demands the Portuguese tactician has laid out.
Condition #1: Transfer Control
Mourinho wants a real voice in squad planning. Not necessarily naming specific transfer targets, but dictating which positions need strengthening. His assessment of the current squad? It's unbalanced in several key areas—a critique that echoes what many fans have been saying all season.
Condition #2: Clear Authority
The second demand is about internal structure. Mourinho isn't demanding a front-office overhaul, but he insists on strict respect for roles and, crucially, absolute authority over the first-team dressing room. No interference, no mixed messages. This condition stems directly from the chaos surrounding Vinicius Jr. and Xabi Alonso this season—situations where managerial authority was undermined.
For a club that prides itself on order and hierarchy, these conditions might actually align perfectly with Perez's vision. The question now is whether both sides can close the deal before the summer transfer window opens.
