Jose Mourinho Reportedly Wanted by Real Madrid as Rafa Benitez's Successor

Real Madrid are set for a major shift at the helm following reports the Spanish heavyweights will look to replace incumbent manager Rafa Benitez with Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho at the end of this season.

Both managers have endured rocky starts to their respective 2015-16 campaigns, and the Sun's Antony Kastrinakis reported Real Madrid president Florentino Perez wants his former colleague back in Madrid.

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It's claimed Perez still ranks Mourinho "as the best coach in the world," and despite his less-than-peaceful departure from the Bernabeu in 2013, the Portuguese remains a wanted figure in Spain's capital.

Los Merengues could face a wait for their man, however, after Mourinho stated on Friday he's likely to see out his Chelsea contract, which expires in 2019, but could then coach "any club," via ESPN FC's Miguel Delaney:

Mourinho's position at Stamford Bridge has come under fire this season following Chelsea's startling drop in form after clinching last season's Premier League crown, his third time winning the competition.

Meanwhile, Benitez has found his place at Real fall under scrutiny after losing 4-0 at home to Barcelona in November's Clasico, with Barca boasting a four-point lead over Los Blancos at La Liga's summit.

However, in the wake of Tuesday's 8-0 triumph over Malmo, four-goal hero Cristiano Ronaldo leaped to the defence of his manager, per Tales Azzoni of the Associated Press. 

He urged the club to give Benitez time: "He is doing a good job, still adapting to Real Madrid. You need to give him time. I think he is doing things the right way. I have a good relationship with him, as do all other players."

Mourinho's third and final season at Real Madrid ended without a trophy to the club's name, and some have suggested the manager is now suffering from something of a third-season curse in his second spell with the Blues.

Speaking to the Mirror's Pete Hall, former Chelsea striker Adrian Mutu insisted his old manager is "finished," suggesting there's no way for Mourinho to return to his former best:

"

He has been a great coach in the past, but as a person, he is fake. He only looks after himself, and has no consideration for how his players are feeling and thinking. You could not go and talk to him. As a coach, he is finished. There is no way back for him. How do you come back from something like this [current form]?

"

The Special One will like use such comments as fuel to further his attempts to bounce back from the most disappointing season of his career to date.

Next up for the tactician is Monday evening's trip to Premier League leaders Leicester City. Another former Chelsea boss, Claudio Ranieri, is enjoying something of a managerial resurgence with Leicester, and he has backed Mourinho to come back, per the Foxes' official Twitter account:

Much will depend on how Mourinho and Benitez's seasons pan out from here. After all, speculation surrounding Benitez's future at the Bernabeu may well die down should he go on to claim a trophy. 

The prospects are considerably lessened for Mourinho, whose Chelsea side sits 14th in the Premier League. However, a 2-0 win over Porto in midweek showed Goal's Liam Twomey that Chelsea's players are committed to their manager:

Mourinho won a Primera Division title, a Copa del Rey and a Spanish Supercup during a three-year reign at Real, but Kastrinakis detailed that strained relationships with certain players were a large factor in his eventual exit.

Perez's admiration for his old charge could see the Real president look for a reunion regardless of this season's accomplishments, but a major question is whether Mourinho still possesses the ability to lead Real.