Jose emerges as Perez's preferred choice to take over at Real Madrid

Jose Mourinho is the preferred candidate of Real Madrid president Florentino Perez to take over as head coach this summer, according to The Athletic.

Temporary boss Alvaro Arbeloa's contract at Real Madrid runs out at the end of the season and Mourinho has emerged as a surprise contender for the job at his former club.

Currently in charge of Benfica, Mourinho reportedly has a £2.6m break clause in his contract with the Portuguese club, currently second in the league and seven points behind leaders Porto.

Mourinho does not enjoy universal support inside Real Madrid to return for a second spell, according to this report.

However, with Perez leading the process to find a long-term successor to Xabi Alonso, who was sacked earlier this season, Mourinho finds himself in a strong position, the report adds.

Mourinho spent three seasons in charge of Real Madrid between 2010 and 2013, winning LaLiga and the Copa del Rey.