Real Madrid take on Benfica midweek and will look to build on their existing 1-0 lead to eliminate the Portuguese side from the competition.
The second leg will be at the Santiago Bernabeu and will not be an easy one especially given how the same opposition put four goals past Real Madrid not too long ago. This time, however, they will be without Jose Mourinho who was sent off for protests in the first leg.
The Special One’s return to the club where he wrote history, thus, will not be complete this time around. His name has been linked with a potential return to a managerial position at the club, but Diario AS clarify that it is not being considered anymore by the club.
Mourinho will not coach Real Madrid again
Real Madrid have a history of handing successful managers a second run in at the club, as they did with Zinedine Zidane and Carlo Ancelotti.
Real Madrid back Alvaro Arbeloa as things stand. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)
Despite the uncertainty over the managerial position for next season, however, Mourinho is reportedly not being considered as an option.
While it may appear that the events in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League playoff and Mourinho’s comments after the game may be the reason for the fallout, the Spanish outlet confirm that the club ruled him out as an option several weeks ago.
As it stands, they do not rule out handing Alvaro Arbeloa continuity beyond this season but a lot will depend on whether or not the team wins any silverware.
They are attentive to other options on the market as well, but the Portuguese coach is not one of them.