The race to find Real Madrid’s next manager has generated significant debate in recent weeks, with Jose Mourinho’s name among the most frequently mentioned candidates to take over at the Bernabeu this summer.
However, not everyone is convinced that a return for the Portuguese would be the right move, and one former Real Madrid favourite has made his position very clear.
Guti casts doubt on Mourinho
Speaking during DAZN’s broadcast of Friday’s match between Betis and Real Madrid, former midfielder Guti gave a brutally honest assessment of the Portuguese tactician.
“Mourinho is a great coach, but I think his prime is over, in the sense that he comes from Fenerbahce, he caught Benfica at a very bad time and I think there are coaches in better form than Mou that I would sign before him,” he said (h/t The Touchline).
Is Mourinho past his prime? (Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images)
It is a perspective that will resonate with a section of the Real Madrid fanbase that, while nostalgic about Mourinho’s trophy-winning stint between 2010 and 2013, has reservations about whether he can still deliver at the very highest level on a consistent basis.
Guti, therefore, suggests that there are better options available elsewhere. Real Madrid, to that end, have already been linked with quite a few of them.
Former Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino is one of the names being considered, due to his experience of working in England and Spain.
Massimiliano Allegri is another option for Los Blancos and one liked by club president Florentino Perez due to his ability to rule with an iron fist.
Jurgen Klopp remains the undisputed favourite, but there are no indications the German would want to leave his current role at Red Bull right now.
