"That night in late February the Benfica manager was suspended, a red card from the first leg of the Champions League playoff meaning he wasn't allowed on the touchline he had prowled 13 years and a lifetime ago, so Real Madrid prepared a media booth for him to watch from. Situated on the eighth floor, Spanish radio to the left of him, Portuguese to the right, Cabin No 6 had been supplied with nuts, fruit, salad and jamon sandwiches. As kick-off approached, a crowd gathered by the door. But if the camera phones were out, he wasn't."
"Mourinho never showed. Instead, he stayed in the basement 10 floors below, watching from an iPad on board the bus and leaving the post-match press conference to his assistant, Joao Tralhao. The next time he comes, which could be as soon as this season ends, it is likely to be different, poised to be welcomed back as a saviour and their manager now, not hidden away. For a while his has been the only candidate's name that has remained constant and never dismissed from within, seeming more real with every day."
"On Friday Mourinho said he had the offer of a contract extension from Benfica but claimed he had not looked at it and would not do so until after Benfica's final game on Sunday. Madrid's season finishes seven days later and, although no one admits it, there has been an approach from there too, conversations. A clause in Mourinho's contract means he can leave Benfica during the 10 days after the season ends."
"Florentino Perez's unexpected call for elections could yet bring a surprise, but he will probably be returned to the presidency unopposed on 24 May, the day Madrid's season finishes, which all fits rather nicely. So it is set, what seemed impossible probable now. Some things change fast and change back again faster. And yet many have waited a very, very long time for this."
Mourinho previously attended the Santiago Bernabeu but was suspended and barred from the touchline, so Real Madrid arranged a media booth for him. He did not appear in the booth and instead stayed in the basement ten floors below, watching from an iPad on board the bus and sending his assistant to handle the post-match press conference. His next visit is expected to be different, with him potentially returning as Real Madrid’s manager rather than being hidden away. He said he had received an offer of a contract extension from Benfica but would not review it until after Benfica’s final match. Madrid’s season ends later, and a contractual clause allows him to leave Benfica within ten days after the season ends, while conversations with Madrid are implied.
Read at www.theguardian.com
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]