Story byJose Mourinho mocks Real Madrid links: ‘Don’t count on me for soap operas’Madrid UniversalSun, January 18, 2026 at 11:53 AM UTC·2 min readReal Madrid’s decision to sack Xabi Alonso just over six months into his tenure at the club shocked the world, especially given how his side had seemingly just turned around the results. The defeat to Barcelona was indeed a major factor, but the truth of the matter is that the reason extended far beyond the sporting aspect. Internal rifts with the president are said to have played their part. AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementAll in all, Alonso was removed with immediate effect and Alvaro Arbeloa installed in his place with the plan being to bring in an elite manager in the summer. The special one speaksMourinho shut down rumours of a Real Madrid return after Alonso’s sacking. (Photo by INA FASSBENDER / AFP) (Photo by INA FASSBENDER/)Former Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho was asked in a recent interview if he considered a return to Madrid to be a feasible option given the current scenario.