Real Madrid president Florentino Pérez is reportedly keen on bringing José Mourinho back to the Spanish capital as the club’s next head coach, according to a report by David Ornstein and Mario Cortegana.

Mourinho, who is currently managing Benfica, is said to have a €3 million release clause in his contract. Pérez is reportedly willing to activate that clause as he considers a managerial change at Real Madrid.

Current coach Álvaro Arbeloa is expected to leave following a disappointing second half of the season. The club’s chief executive, José Ángel Sánchez, had previously appointed Xabi Alonso last year, a decision Pérez is now believed to regret.

While Pérez is understood to favour Mourinho, the report suggests that the final decision will rest with him amid internal disagreement within the club’s hierarchy.

Other candidates under consideration include Didier Deschamps and Mauricio Pochettino, with some members of the Real Madrid board reportedly opposed to Mourinho’s return.