Iker Casillas has urged Real Madrid to drop their pursuit of Jose Mourinho, insisting there are other managerial candidates βhigher equippedβ for the job.
Mourinho has emerged because the clear frontrunner to take charge of Madrid in the previous couple of hours, with Alvaro Arbeloa expected to make way just 4 months after he replaced Xabi Alonso in the new seat.
In accordance with the BBC, Mourinho, currently the pinnacle coach of Benfica, has entered into βfinal negotiationsβ over a proposed return to the Bernabeu, 13 years after his first stint within the Spanish capital got here to an end.
The report claims Los Blancos β who’re set to complete trophyless for a second successive season β have spoken to no other candidates at this stage in the method.
Facing the media earlier today, Mourinho refused to fuel speculation over his future, as a substitute telling reporters in Portugal: βWe [Benfica] have a match against Estoril.
βFrom next Monday onwards Iβll give you the chance to reply questions on my future as a coach and Benficaβs future.β
Mourinho, who has also managed Premier League giants Manchester United, Chelsea and Tottenham, still has a yr remaining on his current contract in Lisbon.
Casillas and Mourinho shared a tumultuous relationship during their time together at Madrid, with the legendary goalkeeper finding himself dropped from the starting XI towards the top of the 2012/13 season.
In a 2017 interview, Casillas likened their broken relationship to the disintegration of a romantic love affair β and itβs clear the Spaniard stays somewhat skeptical towards βThe Special Oneβ.
βI actually have no problem with Mourinho. He looks as if an awesome skilled to me. I donβt want him at Real Madrid,β Casillas told his nine million followers on X this evening.
βI believe other coaches can be higher equipped to teach on the club of my life. Personal opinion. Nothing more.β
Jose Mourinho during first spell at Madrid (2010-13)
La Liga: 2011/12 π
Copa del Rey: 2010/11 π
Spanish Super Cup: 2012 π
Last week, Casillas, the second-highest appearance maker in Madridβs history, encouraged club president Florentino Perez to think about giving Alonso a second likelihood within the Bernabeu dugout.
βI’d take Alonso again,β the five-time La Liga winner said during aΒ Movistar+ event.
βHeβs a manager who succeeded with Bayer Leverkusen, heβs young and he is prepared for Real Madrid. He can be the right manager with continuity and confidence.
βBut in football you never know. Zinedine Zidane got here in for Rafael BenΓtez and things went right.β
Reports of infighting and unrest contained in the Madrid dressing room have dominated the backpages in Spain in recent days, with the campaign unravelling into an almighty mess each on and off the pitch.
News of an emergency press conference at Madrid set tongues wagging across social media this evening, with some speculating that details might be provided in relation to the clubβs seek for a manager.
But as a substitute, Perez took the chance to place to bed rumours over his own future as president and confirmed that he intended to stay answerable for the club.
βAn absurd situation has been created againstΒ Real MadridΒ and against me, Perez β who has been within the role since June 2009 β told reporters.
βSome people say I’m sick, that I actually have terminal cancer. My health is ideal. I’m not going to resign.β
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