Mourinho in final negotiations to become Real manager

The logic behind Real Madrid's decision is clear. The club were not simply searching for a tactician. They were looking for a manager capable of restoring authority, identity and emotional control to a fractured squad after a turbulent season.

One of the biggest reasons behind Mourinho's appeal is the current state of the dressing room, highlighted by the spat between Tchouameni and Valverde.

Earlier this month, defender Alvaro Carreras was forced to respond to reports linking him to a disagreement with team-mate Antonio Rudiger, while there has also been growing scrutiny surrounding Kylian Mbappe after the forward travelled to Sardinia during his recovery from a hamstring injury.

The trip sparked backlash among supporters, with an 'Mbappe Out' petition reportedly attracting more than 73 million signatures.

With the dressing room in turmoil and the club's reputation on the line, Real Madrid need a strong leader to steer the team back on course next season.

Against that backdrop, Florentino Perez is likely to view Mourinho as the ideal figure to restore order and authority within the dressing room.

The club will hope he can rebuild a side that fights collectively rather than individually, and to manage some of football's biggest personalities, several of whom have faced criticism this season for acting egotistically.

Mourinho's appointment will also come with the expectation to deliver titles.

Real will finish their second consecutive season without a trophy, a rare drought by the club's high standards.

They lost 2-0 to Barcelona on Sunday in a Clasico that handed the Catalan giants the title. Real had just one shot on target. The last time that happened in a league game was February 2023.

The club is performing well below expectations and the pressure, therefore, on Mourinho to reclaim domestic and European dominance will be immense.