Gutis’ status on Mourinho’s Real Madrid return: “Is his prime over?”

April 28, 2026 Aksel Kryhlmand

Former Real Madrid midfielder José María Gutiérrez, widely known as Guti, has weighed in on the persistent rumors linking José Mourinho with a return to the Santiago Bernabéu this summer. Quoted by Managing Madrid, Mourinho spoke during DAZN’s broadcast of Friday’s match between Betis and Real Madrid, Guti expressed his belief that Mourinho's best days as a coach are behind him.

The outspoken ex-Blancos star didn't mince words when assessing the Portuguese manager's current standing. "Mourinho is a great coach, but I think his prime is over, in the sense that he comes from Fenerbahce, he caught Benfica at a very bad time and I think there are coaches in better form than Mou that I would sign before him," Guti stated, directly addressing the speculation.

Mourinho's recent tenures questioned

Guti's assessment appears to stem from Mourinho's recent coaching stints, specifically highlighting his time at Fenerbahce and Benfica. While the specific details of these tenures were not elaborated upon, Guti's comments suggest a perception that Mourinho has not maintained the same level of consistent success or impact seen in earlier stages of his illustrious career.

The former Real Madrid player's remarks come amidst ongoing chatter in the football world about potential managerial shifts at top clubs. Real Madrid, one of the sport's most prominent institutions, is frequently at the center of such discussions, and Mourinho, having previously managed the club from 2010 to 2013, is a name that often resurfaces in connection with the Spanish giants.

Other candidates on the radar

While Guti clearly favors other options, the article notes that figures like Mauricio Pochettino are also reportedly on Real Madrid's radar for potential future appointments. However, the prevailing sentiment suggests that the rumors surrounding Mourinho's return should be approached with caution, as a comeback to the Spanish capital does not currently appear to be a realistic possibility.

Guti's strong opinion adds another voice to the debate surrounding Real Madrid's long-term managerial future, emphasizing a preference for coaches currently demonstrating peak performance over those whose prime, in his view, has passed.

Sources: www.managingmadrid.com