The prospect of Portuguese manager José Mourinho making a sensational return to the Santiago Bernabéu dugout has dimmed considerably following a tumultuous night in Lisbon. As reported by AS, what many fans anticipated as a heroic homecoming for the “Special One” has been marred by a series of actions and stances that now render his potential succession of Álvaro Arbeloa increasingly unlikely.
Mourinho squandered a golden opportunity to connect with the primary decision-maker at Real Madrid, as Florentino Pérez was absent from the trip to Lisbon at the last moment. Compounding this misstep, the red card received by Mourinho during the first leg will prohibit his presence in the technical area at the Bernabéu for the return fixture. Consequently, he will be unable to greet Pérez or engage in direct dialogue, potentially forced to observe the match from a secluded location away from the cameras. Further isolating himself, Mourinho has declared he will not attend the press conferences in Madrid, thereby severing crucial lines of direct communication with the club and its supporters.
A Controversial Stance on a Sensitive Issue
According to the analysis by AS, Mourinho delivered a profound shock to the Real Madrid faithful through his dismissive reaction to the racist abuse suffered by Vinícius Júnior. Rather than condemning the act unequivocally, the Portuguese manager attempted to shift blame onto the Brazilian star, justifying the incident as a provocation. Mourinho contended that Vinícius should have left the pitch on his teammates’ shoulders instead of engaging with the 60,000 spectators, a stance widely perceived as undermining the gravity of the racist attack.
On the pitch, the tactical narrative further undermined Mourinho’s candidacy. Álvaro Arbeloa demonstrated significant strategic maturity, securing a clear advantage over his former mentor at the Estádio da Luz. While Mourinho remained fixated on controversy and protests against officials—culminating in his dismissal—Arbeloa managed the high-pressure match with notable composure, despite the swirling rumors of his potential replacement.
This on-field superiority, coupled with Arbeloa’s ability to secure a victory under complex circumstances, has prompted the club’s hierarchy to reassess the necessity of a managerial change. As AS concludes, Mourinho has regrettably reverted to his older, more adversarial persona—a image that starkly contrasts with the current policy and atmosphere the club seeks to maintain, effectively distancing him from the role he once seemed destined to reclaim.