Mourinho Rejects Real Madrid Return Amid Arbeloa Chaos
Jose Mourinho
January 2026
Mourinho dismissed speculation linking him to a second Real Madrid stint, as Madrid’s week spiralled from Alonso’s departure to a Copa del Rey shock exit and a tense Bernabeu atmosphere despite a league win. After the Super Cup final loss to Barcelona, Alonso left and Arbeloa took over, then suffered a cup elimination and heard boos in the subsequent league match; Mourinho responded by distancing himself from the drama and rejecting “soap opera” narratives.