\n<\/p>\n
Fabrizio Romano has provided a major update on Jose Mourinho replacing Alvaro Arbeloa as Real Madrid boss, though Joe Cole has urged Chelsea to give \u2018the Special One\u2019 the keys to Stamford Bridge.<\/p>\n
Mourinho is currently in charge of Benfica, having returned to Portugal in September. He has guided Benfica to within two games of a remarkable unbeaten league campaign, though they have still lost out on the Primeira Liga title to Porto.<\/p>\n
Mourinho\u2019s contract with Benfica runs for another season, but he could soon leave as Real Madrid<\/strong> president Florentino Perez has identified the Portuguese icon as his No 1 target to replace Arbeloa at the Bernabeu.<\/p>\n Mourinho<\/strong> and Perez still have a good relationship from his previous spell managing Madrid, prompting talks between the club and super agent Jorge Mendes.<\/p>\n On his Instagram<\/em>Romano has stated that Mourinho is \u2018ready to say yes\u2019 to Perez once he gets assurances over \u2018what kind of power\u2019 he would be given.<\/p>\n \u201cThe contacts between Jose Mourinho and Real Madrid will continue over (the) next week, and (the) next days, to understand if Florentino Perez decides to proceed for the Special One,\u201d Romano said.<\/p>\n READ: Alexander-Arnold among Real Madrid stars dreading Mourinho return<\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cBut contacts are ongoing, as I told you earlier this week. Mourinho would be ready to take the job.<\/p>\n \u201cObviously he wants to be informed on what kind of power he would have, what kind of project Real Madrid has.<\/p>\n \u201cHe is absolutely ready for this opportunity.<\/p>\n \u201cBenfica (are) waiting. Benfica would love to continue with Mourinho, they are prepared to offer him a new contract.<\/p>\n \u201cBut this depends on Real Madrid. If Perez decides to proceed, in that case Mourinho will return to Real Madrid.\u201d<\/p>\n READ MORE: The six hardest manager jobs in world football as Real Madrid dressing room explodes<\/strong><\/p>\n Instead of returning to the Spanish capital, Cole wants Mourinho to go back to Chelsea for a third stint and rescue the Blues from their current turmoil.<\/p>\n Cole said: \u201cThe best move the club could make now, a realistic move as well, is to go to Jose Mourinho.<\/p>\n \u201cSay that this is what we can do, and just let the man take charge of the club. Just say, \u2018rebuild my club for me, we\u2019re going to step back, you get us back on track.\u2019<\/p>\n \u201cGive him a long contract, and tell the players and the fans just to take the transition.<\/p>\n \u201cTell the fans, \u2018We\u2019ve given you what you want. Jose is in charge of bringing the players in. Jose is in charge of everything\u2019.<\/p>\n \u201cSo, the fans know where they stand, and the players know where they stand as a group. And then leave it.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s going to take a few years. But I\u2019m pretty sure, in three years, Chelsea will be in a healthier position than they are now.<\/p>\n \u201cEveryone\u2019s thinking he\u2019s finished, but there\u2019s a reason Real Madrid are looking at him.\u201d<\/p>\n When asked about Madrid\u2019s interest over the weekend, Mourinho replied: \u201cThere is something I would like to emphasise: in the world of football it is not the professionals who are interested in going or not going, when something happens, it is the clubs that are interested and that initiate or not the procedures to have the people they want.<\/p>\n \u201cThey keep talking about Real Madrid, and I continue to run away from that, honestly.<\/p>\n \u201cI had no contact with the president or any other club official. In the final phase of the seasons, I don\u2019t talk to anyone.<\/p>\n \u201cI didn\u2019t have any contact with Real Madrid and until the last league game against Estoril, I won\u2019t have any.<\/p>\n \u201cThen there\u2019s a one-week window, where I\u2019ll be free to talk to whoever I think I should talk to, but until then, everything that\u2019s come out of meetings and calls\u2026 it\u2019s speculation.\u201d<\/p>\n READ NEXT: Who is the top scorer of 2026? Harry Kane running away with the title<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/div>\nMourinho would be \u2018in charge of everything\u2019 at Chelsea \u2013 Cole<\/h2>\n