Real Madrid: Goodbye Pellegrini, Hello Mourinho?
Spanish giants set to target Portuguese coach
 In the wake of Real Madrid’s shock exit from the Champions League at the last-16 stage, the clamour for Jose Mourinho to take over at the Bernabeu is inexorably gathering pace. Ricardo Costa explains why.
While Jose Mourinho’s stock is back on the rise, Manuel Pellegrini’s Real Madrid crashed out of Championship League with a 2-1 aggregate defeat thanks to a late Miralem Pjanic stunner at the Bernabeu.
Real Madrid, who felt destined to win Europe’s top prize this year after the astounding €250 investment in their squad, shot themselves in the foot as the French club used skilful teamwork as their main weapon against Los Blancos. Lyon proved that money can’t buy trophies and that teamwork can thwart any super talent in the world (including Cristiano Ronaldo and Kaka).
Dream duo
And many believe Real’s premature exit from the Champions League will only speed up Jose Mourinho’s switch to the Spanish capital, joining forces with Ronaldo in a mouth-watering dream move to Real Madrid.
Since the game, Real Madrid director Jorge Valdano has already alerted the Real Madrid supporters that the manager will not be sacked because of this week’s performance. But I sincerely doubt he will be around after this summer, especially if Barcelona progresses to the Champions League final. Why? Because this year’s final is at the Santiago Bernabeu! Barcelona winning a second consecutive Champions League trophy in the face of Florentino Perez in Real Madrid’s home, inevitably spells doom for Pellegrini.
The Chilean coach could even be axed before this possible nightmare scenario for Real unfolds. The club is now under immense pressure in the quest for the La Liga title. Mark you calendars for the match at the Bernabeu on April 11th against Barcelona, which will be fundamental for Pellegrini’s future in the club, if it’s not too late already.
What Mourinho brings to the table
Since teamwork is the overriding philosophy that any manager must uphold, I believe that only Pellegrini can be blamed for this graceless performance. The change of form from La Liga to the Champions League is very puzzling. Accordingly, I think Pellegrini lacks an attribute that Mourinho excels in and Real Madrid needs – Discipline. Mourinho would be the perfect manager to deal with the large egos in the club. I think the players need a manager they fear in order to get maximum results.
Needless to say, he would bring his tactical acumen and finely tuned motivational skills that would definitely spark the fire for Real Madrid in Europe. Inter Milan were not nearly so passionate in the Champions League until Mourinho’s arrival at the San Siro. Secondly, I think Mourinho’s defensive methods would be the missing link that Real Madrid needs. While their offence is something to be reckoned with, it is their defence that has let them down this season.
Reports have already appeared in Madrid’s Marca stating that Real Madrid president Florentino Perez was in contact with Mourinho after their 1st leg defeat in Lyon. This crash out of the Champions League can only add fuel to the fire. You can rest assured that the mention of Mourinho in Madrid is slowly starting to take form in the minds of Real Madrid supporters.
by Ricardo Costa
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I think that Pellegreni will leave Real in the summer and will be replaced almost certainly by Rafa Benitez (of Liverpool). He learnt his managerial game at Real, he is will liked and is respected by the capital club's directors and Rafa's place at Liverpool has become unteniable. The timing just seems right. Although i think given any choice over any prospective candidate, Real would choose Wenger in my opinion!