Guillem Balague on Rafa, Madrid & Mourinho

[GraemeD]

On Real Madrid, Rafa Benitez and Mourinho


After seeing his side suffer a humiliating 4-0 to defeat to the equivalent of a League Two side, Real Madrid coach Manuel Pellegrini has just two games to save his job – and the Bernabeu hierarchy have already started leaking that the likes of Michael Laudrup, `Phil` Scolari, Sven Goran Eriksson and Rafa Benitez could receive a phone call.


This is not the first time that Madrid have discussed the Liverpool boss after Benitez was one of the first to be offered the manager`s role at the Bernabeu early last summer: before Wenger, Ancelotti and Mourinho were considered.

If Pellegrini does manage to survive the winter at the Bernabeu, but fails to show a dramatic improvement in performances combined with at least one trophy, then he may still be out of a job at the end of the season – and I believe that Jose Mourinho will be the favourite to take over if Madrid are looking for a new coach next summer.

[sean_lfc]

[PTP]

it's always baffles me real madrid - why would you go there! - ok they have a massive reputation/history/players - but it is such a circus.

[Tee]

it's always baffles me real madrid - why would you go there! - ok they have a massive reputation/history/players - but it is such a circus.

I just think of Del Bosque, arguably their best Manager for decades and the way they just got rid of him....

[dww]

it's always baffles me real madrid - why would you go there! - ok they have a massive reputation/history/players - but it is such a circus.

I think because it's the chance for genuine greatness if you can put the club on a stable footing for a while. So many people around the world look at Real Madrid as an almost mythic club and that is what people want to be a part of.

Obviously for Rafa it is 'his' club too.

I can see the appeal - although I think given the ludicrous management environment there he will probably try and finish his job. It would be a very odd decision to turn them down and then just as he gets the power to create his legacy with the reserves/academy control leave.

If Real want to offer me the job however .......

[dom9]

If Real want to offer me the job however .......

You'd probably complain that you'd be forced to wear attire which you don't like, surrounded by by people who don't drink or you don't like, and be forced to go all the way to Spain.

[javier_monsterano]

Mourinho will be their next manager.Im sure i heard he wants to manage a club in spain.

[Resu]

Can we get Xabi back when Rafa takes over?

[javier_monsterano]

Xabi will be an old man when Rafa takes over.

[fred_plasticine]

I think because it's the chance for genuine greatness if you can put the club on a stable footing for a while. So many people around the world look at Real Madrid as an almost mythic club and that is what people want to be a part of.

Obviously for Rafa it is 'his' club too.

I can see the appeal - although I think given the ludicrous management environment there he will probably try and finish his job. It would be a very odd decision to turn them down and then just as he gets the power to create his legacy with the reserves/academy control leave.

If Real want to offer me the job however .......

i've come to believe that liverpool is his club by now.