Florentino Pérez told his inner circle he could sack José Mourinho if results fail to improve, Didier Deschamps linked as replacement: reports

José Mourinho’s return to Real Madrid was supposed to bring clarity and authority to a club accustomed to competing for the biggest prizes. Instead, an uneven opening to the season has put the Portuguese manager under pressure, with a report from Spanish journalist Sergio Valentín suggesting that Florentino Pérez has begun considering what happens if results do not improve. The same report names former France coach Didier Deschamps as a possible successor, although Real Madrid have not confirmed any plans to change managers.Pérez is reportedly weighing Mourinho’s future if results do not improveAccording to Sergio Valentín, a journalist with Spanish radio station Radio MARCA, Pérez has told people close to him that Mourinho could be dismissed if Real Madrid’s performances fail to improve in the near future. Valentín’s report also identifies Deschamps as a potential replacement should the president decide to part ways with the Portuguese coach.The claim has circulated through social media and other football outlets, but it remains a chatter rather than an official announcement from the club. There has been no official confirmation that Pérez has decided to sack Mourinho, approached Deschamps or settled on a successor.An important distinction as Mourinho remains under contract at Real Madrid until the summer of 2029. Any departure before then would require a decision by the club’s management, whose assessment is likely to depend on how the team performs in the coming weeks and months.Real Madrid’s league position has intensified the scrutinyMadrid have won six of their opening eight La Liga matches, drawing no games and losing twice, leaving them fourth with 18 points. They have scored 19 goals, conceded eight and hold a goal difference of plus 11, but sit six points behind Barcelona, who have made a perfect start.The league position is only part of the concern. Madrid have struggled to find consistency despite a substantial summer recruitment drive that brought in Yan Diomande, Denzel Dumfries and Bernardo Silva. The team’s performances have also exposed a sharp difference between their home and away form.At the Santiago Bernabéu, Madrid have remained dominant, while their away matches have proved far more difficult. The describe a 57 per cent drop in goals scored on the road, with each away fixture ending either in defeat or a late escape.Those problems have become harder to separate from the pressure surrounding Mourinho, whose appointment was expected to help Madrid impose themselves more reliably across the season.Vinícius Júnior’s suspension has added another complicationMadrid’s immediate concerns have also been sharpened by Vinícius Júnior’s four-match domestic suspension. The Brazilian was sent off after pulling an opponent’s hair during the match against Villarreal, and the ban rules him out of the upcoming El Clásico against Barcelona.Mourinho has reacted angrily to the decision, criticising the Spanish football authorities over the timing of the announcement, which came shortly before Madrid’s Champions League match against Roma. The suspension leaves the manager without one of his most influential attacking players for a crucial stretch of the campaign.The disciplinary issue does not, by itself, explain Madrid’s inconsistent results, but it adds pressure at a time when the club needs performances to improve and the title gap to narrow.Deschamps is the reported alternative if Madrid make a changeValentín’s report names Didier Deschamps as the possible replacement for Mourinho. The former France manager brings a substantial record at both international and club level, although the report does not establish that Real Madrid have contacted him or begun negotiations.Deschamps captained France to the 1998 World Cup and Euro 2000 as a player before building an accomplished coaching career. He led France to the 2018 World Cup title, the 2022 final and the 2021 Nations League trophy, remaining in charge of the national team through the 2026 World Cup.His club career included Monaco, where he won the French League Cup and reached the 2004 Champions League final, Juventus, whom he helped return to Serie A after relegation, and Marseille, where he won the French championship and domestic honours. His track record makes him a credible name in the conversation, but there is no indication that he is next in line for the Madrid job.Mourinho still has time to change the pictureFor now, the situation remains one of reported concern rather than a confirmed coaching change. Madrid have collected six league wins from eight matches, and Mourinho’s contract runs for nearly three more years, giving the club both time and a substantial decision to make.The immediate test is whether Madrid can address their away struggles, manage the consequences of Vinícius’s suspension and produce more consistent performances against leading opponents. If those results improve, speculation about a replacement may recede; if they do not, Pérez’s reported interest in Deschamps could become a more consequential part of the season.Stay updated with the latest Asian Games 2026 news, check the Asian Games medal tally and complete Asian Games schedule.Get the latest Sports News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.