'I'll always be a big fan of Real Madrid' - Jose Mourinho hints he'd be open to replacing Carlo Ancelotti at Santiago Bernabeu as Fenerbahce boss backs Florentino Perez to make 'right decision'

Mourinho was asked by Cadena SER whether he would be open to coaching the Spanish giants again in the future. The 61-year-old led Madrid to a La Liga title, Copa del Rey and the Spanish Super Cup during his three seasons at the club between 2010 and 2013.

Carlo Ancelotti's contract expires in June 2026 and the Italian has come under pressure at times this season. While he appears to have steadied the ship, president Florentino Perez will already be thinking about life post-Ancelotti, with Mourinho refusing to rule out a return should he receive a call.

"I'll always be a big fan of Real Madrid. They have the best coach in the world, my friend Carlo. He's doing very well," Mourinho said. "The future depends on what the president wants, if he wants a young coach with a big projection as Xabi [Alonso] or continue in the same line as Carlo, a coach with experience, or look at the youth section [Madrid reserves coach] with Raul or [Madrid youth team coach Alvaro] Arbeloa. It depends."

Bayer Leverkusen boss Xabi Alonso, who played under Mourinho at the Bernabeu, is among the leading candidates to be the next Madrid boss. Whoever Perez selects to replace Ancelotti, Mourinho is confident it will be the right choice.

"Florentino hasn't made many wrong decisions at Madrid," the Fenerbahce boss added. "I'm certain as a Madrid fan that his next decision will be the right one."

Mourinho's Fenerbahce are in action against Athletic Club in the Europa League on Wednesday. The Turkish side are vying for a spot in the top eight after beating Slavia Prague in their previous European outing.