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Man Utd news: Real Madrid tried to snare Jose Mourinho BEFORE his sacking
REAL MADRID first contacted Jose Mourinho about taking over the Bernabeu hot seat in October, according to sensational reports in Portugal.
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Los Blancos axed Julen Lopetegui earlier this season after a dismal three months in charge.
Santiago Solari was promoted to the top job, but Portuguese newspaper Record say Mourinho had been contacted first.
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At the time, the experienced chief was still at the helm of Manchester United.
He was dismissed by the Red Devils just weeks later amid behind the scenes turmoil at Old Trafford.
Santiago Solari is on the brink at Real Madrid
Reports earlier this week have suggested a stunning return to Real is now on the cards.
The La Liga heavyweights slumped to a shock 2-0 defeat against Real Sociedad on Sunday.
They are now a hefty 10 points behind pace setters Barcelona.
He spent three years at the Bernabeu from 2010 - 2013 and is still well respected in the corridors of power.
Journalist Neil Custis claims Florentino Perez is already making overtures.
He told talkSPORT: “He’s been offered about four jobs, one of which was Benfica, but also Real Madrid have made contact with his camp about how he feels about a return to the Bernabeu.
“Obviously Real are struggling, 5th I think they are - 10 points behind Barca and are on their second manager of the year.
“The president there, [Florentino] Perez, has remained friends with Mourinho even after he left the last time.
“He didn’t want him to go, player power behind the scenes made him go.
“But he was a very successful manager at Real Madrid.
“You know, to overcome that Pep Guardiola team - to win La Liga - was something special.”
Spanish news outlet COPE say Solari will remain in post until the end of the campaign.
Nevertheless, there are clues that Perez might not view the 42-year-old as a long-term option.
It’s suggested Solari will not be allowed to make any more acquisitions this month.
Brahim Diaz has been snapped up from Manchester City for around £21m.
The midfielder had managed just 15 appearances for the Citizens.