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- Jose Mourinho is a dominant 1/5 favourite with bet365 to become the next Real Madrid manager
- Real Madrid have had a turbulent 2025-26 season leaving the club desperate for permanent, experienced leadership
- Jurgen Klopp and Mauricio Pochettino are joint second in the market at 7/1, with Didier Deschamps, Álvaro Arbeloa and Unai Emery all available at bigger prices
The Special One Returns? Madrid's Most Dramatic Managerial Saga Takes Another Turn
Real Madrid have endured one of the most turbulent managerial seasons in their modern history, and the betting market now points overwhelmingly to one man to bring order to the chaos at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Bet365 have Jose Mourinho as a dominant 1/5 favourite to become the next permanent Real Madrid manager, with Sky Sports News reporting this week that despite the Portuguese's public insistence that he is not personally speaking to the club while Benfica's season remains alive, work is already going on behind the scenes on his behalf with the clear intention of making a move happen.
For those looking to get involved in the managerial market, the best football betting sites have the full range of next manager odds available, with bet365 among the most competitive for football specials markets.
Álvaro Arbeloa has been caretaker manager since January, and the club's need for a permanent appointment of genuine stature has never been more urgent.
Mourinho: A Return 14 Years in the Making
Mourinho is currently at Benfica, where he has been rebuilding his reputation in Portuguese football, and his public stance of not engaging in personal discussions with Real Madrid while his current employers are still active in their domestic season is entirely consistent with his professional code.
But the Sky Sports report is unambiguous, work is going on behind the scenes, the intention is to make this happen, and the 1/5 market price suggests the betting community has already made up its mind. An 83.3% implied probability of appointment is a market that is not speculating. It is anticipating.
Mourinho's first spell at Real Madrid ran from 2010 to 2013, three years that produced a La Liga title, a Copa del Rey, and some of the most dramatic, controversial and compelling football management the club has ever witnessed.
Next Real Madrid Manager Odds
| Next Real Madrid Manager | Odds | Implied Probability |
|---|---|---|
| Jose Mourinho | 1/5 | 83.3% |
| Jurgen Klopp | 7/1 | 12.5% |
| Mauricio Pochettino | 7/1 | 12.5% |
| Didier Deschamps | 12/1 | 7.7% |
| Álvaro Arbeloa | 16/1 | 5.9% |
| Unai Emery | 16/1 | 5.9% |
Klopp, Pochettino and the Alternatives the Market Has Already Dismissed
The gulf between Mourinho at 1/5 and the rest of the market at 7/1 and beyond is as stark as it gets in football management betting, and it tells a clear story about how the market views this appointment.
Jurgen Klopp and Mauricio Pochettino are both available at 7/1, a joint price that reflects their status as world-class managerial talent currently without a club, rather than genuine contenders for this specific role.
Klopp, who left Liverpool in May 2024 and has since been on a sabbatical, would represent an extraordinary appointment at the Bernabeu, bringing a counter-pressing philosophy that sits some distance from Real Madrid's traditional style.
His personality and football culture are built on emotional connection and high-energy pressing, attributes that have historically sat uneasily with Madrid's galáctico model.
Didier Deschamps at 12/1 is available following France's imminent post-World Cup transition, with the national team coach widely expected to step down after this summer's tournament in North America.
What the expert says...
Where To Bet on the Next Real Madrid Manager
With Mourinho's appointment expected to be confirmed once Benfica's season concludes, the odds in this market are unlikely to remain available for long.
Bet365 are one of the most trusted UK betting sites for football management markets, with competitive odds across all the major next manager specials.
New customers may also find free bets available, so always check the latest promotions before placing.
For a full comparison of prices across all football betting markets, visit our guide to the best football betting sites.
