Real Madrid's interim coach Álvaro Arbeloa has openly welcomed the possibility of José Mourinho returning to the Santiago Bernabéu bench next season, describing the Portuguese tactician as "number one" for any Madridista.
Speaking on Saturday, Arbeloa—a former teammate of Mourinho's during his first stint at the club—expressed his full support for a potential comeback. "For me, as a former player and as a Madridista, José Mourinho is number one. He's one of ours," Arbeloa told reporters. "If he comes back next year, I'll be very happy to see him back home."
Mourinho, who led Real Madrid between 2010 and 2013, famously clashed with Pep Guardiola's dominant Barcelona side during that era. Now at the helm of Benfica, his return would be a high-stakes gamble for president Florentino Pérez, especially after Los Blancos finished a second consecutive season without a major trophy.
Arbeloa replaced Xabi Alonso in January but has been unable to steer the team to silverware. The season has been further complicated by tensions with star striker Kylian Mbappé, who criticized Arbeloa after being benched for Madrid's midweek win over Real Oviedo. Mbappé had just returned from a thigh injury that kept him out of last weekend's El Clásico, where Barcelona defeated Madrid to seal the La Liga title.
Arbeloa downplayed the controversy, emphasizing his understanding of a player's frustration. "I've just bumped into him, I told him to stay calm. I understand that these kinds of things make headlines, but it's something much more normal than you think," he explained. "I used to be a player—I know what they feel in these situations: playing every day, then playing less or not at all. I totally understand that Kylian wasn't happy about not playing on Thursday, and I like that. I wouldn't understand it if he didn't want to play. My relationship with him remains the same."
As the season winds down, all eyes are on whether the Special One will make a dramatic return to the Spanish capital—a move that could reshape the club's future and reignite one of football's most storied rivalries.