There is a real possibility that we will see Jose Mourinho pacing the touchline in the Premier League next season.

Despite being 7 points clear at the top of La Liga, and into the Champions League knockout stages, Mourinho is growing tired of the snipping in Madrid and said on Tuesday that "I don't know if I will be here next season.

Despite winning 17 of the 20 La Liga fixtures played so far this season and opening up a 7 point lead over arch rivals Barcelona, Jose Mourinho is not a happy man at Real Madrid and he could leave the Spanish giants this summer for a return to the Premier League.

According to reports emerging from Madrid, Mourinho is 'sick and tired' of the constant power struggles within the club and is seriously considering a return to the EPL.

Is Jose Mourinho putting out feelers for a return to England at the end of the season?

According to a report in The Sunday Times (subscription required), an unnamed source close to Mourinho intimated that the Real coach could leave. "He was sick and tired of this situation at Madrid.

Real dissension in the ranks?

The Real Madrid fans are in a barracking mood, just like the fans giving stick to Arsene Wenger. The Barca game blew up in their face because Mou decided to stick 11 men behind the ball and with the exception of an 11th minute of enterprise, played like he was afraid to lose which is exactly what happened.

The verdict is out... UN GRAN SÍ!! More La Liga matches should kick off at noon (sudden death to your Saturday night hangovers) simply because the natural lighting at the stadiums are amazing. Madrid looked like they were playing out their FIFA 12 characters in real time at the Bernabeu yesterday.

It is being reported this morning that the Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho is aiming to raid Liverpool in January because he is desperate for another right back, and has been impressed with Glen Johnson since his return to the Liverpool squad and sees him as the perfect competition for Alvaro Arbeloa.

Former French international and one of the games greats Zinedine Zidane is considering the option of returning to the French national team as a coach. Zidane who retired from the side after he infamously head butted Marco Materazzi during the 2006 world cup finals, made the statement when questioned by Le Parisien.

Jose Mourinho prepares his side for a home tie Ajax on Wednesday night following a debate amongst Real Madrid's general assembly about the Portuguese manager. Some of the members were unhappy with the outspoken coach, and felt he has damaged the reputation of the club since his arrival.
Despite the heated debate, club president Florentino Perez did defend the 48-year old who moved to the Bernabeu in May 2010 from Italian side Inter Milan.

Right, so Real Madrid and Barcelona came away from the weekend with nice thrashings of their opponents (6-2 and 5-0 respectively). But while the socios are out popping their 1,245th bottle of champagne clearly you can all start to see a pattern here? The La Liga is starting to morph into that dreary prospect of a two-legged race!

"Zinedine Zidane's goal in Glasgow (against Bayer Leverkusen) is the best in history. It gave us our ninth cup and there are no doubts we will get the tenth," Real Madrid President Florentino Perez once told an assembled press conference. Taking the second part of the comment with a pinch of salt, the first part [.

Spanish giants Real Madrid come to Philadelphia tomorrow to brave the wrath of Christian Hernandez and the Philadelphia Union.

Madrid has an incredible history both as a soccer club and as a political institution. The club has won a record 31 league titles and 9 European/Champions League trophies.

Brazilian young Football promise NEYMAR has his destiny closer & closer with SPANISH FOOTBALL via his soon incorporation - or signing - with REAL MADRID. As updated here days ago on a below post about Neymar the player had basically agreed to a 6 year contract at 5M€ per season: the transfer price 45M€.

Zinedine Zidane is set to become Real Madrid's new sporting director.

Zidane, who played for Real Madrid between 2001 and 2006, and has been a special advisor to club president Florentino Perez told eporters on the sidelines of a charity match in Madrid that

"I will be the first team's sporting director,"

The three-time FIFA World Player of the Year said he was still not sure what his functions would be, although Spanish media said it would involve working more closely with Real coach Jose Mourinho.

Zinedine Zidane is set to become Real Madrid's new sporting director.

Zidane, who played for Real Madrid between 2001 and 2006, and has been a special advisor to club president Florentino Perez told eporters on the sidelines of a charity match in Madrid that

"I will be the first team's sporting director,"

The three-time FIFA World Player of the Year said he was still not sure what his functions would be, although Spanish media said it would involve working more closely with Real coach Jose Mourinho.

Real Madrid SPANISH FOOTBALL SPORTS paper "Marca" run a front cover story today that basically says that the REAL MADRID Football Manager & Coach José Mourinho, who is back at work, has expressed to Club President Florentino Perez that he is satisfied & happy with the all the new signings. Marca cover In fact, according to the Sports paper, Mourinho believes that squad has been compensated,

For the third straight month, Thierry Henry tops the Major League Soccer Castrol Index.

Henry maintained his status as the league's top player according to the metric. George John, Nat Borchers, Landon Donovan, Omar Gonzalez, Chris Wondolowski, Ugo Ihemelu, Alvaro Fernandez, Donovan Ricketts and Jeff Parke follow Henry, respectively, to round out the top 10.

Zidane becomes director of football at Real Madrid - originally posted on Soccerlens.com

Real Madrid and France legend Zinedine Zidane has revealed that he will become the new director of football at the Santiago Bernabeu next season. The former player has been working closely with Madrid president Florentino Perez as a special advisor, creating a link between the first team and the management at Los Blancos.

Real Madrid One of World Football greats, ex Cannes, Bordeaux, Juventus & REAL MADRID player, Frenchman ZINEDINE ZIDANE made the public announcement today that he will be the new FOOTBALL DIRECTOR of the REAL MADRID first team as off next Monday. The Frenchman was up till now personal advisor to Club President Florentino Perez & will now add to his responsibilities the Football "matters" of the

In an interview with Cadena COPE radio station yesterday, Cristiano Ronaldo spoke about a lot of things. The headline quote was that he wants to stay at Real Madrid for another 10 seasons, but he covered a lot more than this. Here are some of the topics that Ronaldo covered:

Ronaldo has recently been linked with a move to Manchester City, but the former Manchester United man insists he has no immediate plans to return to the Premier League:

"I can't see myself leaving Madrid," he told the Cadena COPE radio station.

In an interview with Cadena COPE radio station yesterday, Cristiano Ronaldo spoke about a lot of things. The headline quote was that he wants to stay at Real Madrid for another 10 seasons, but he covered a lot more than this. Here are some of the topics that Ronaldo covered:

Ronaldo has recently been linked with a move to Manchester City, but the former Manchester United man insists he has no immediate plans to return to the Premier League:

"I can't see myself leaving Madrid," he told the Cadena COPE radio station.

A few summers ago, at the height of Florentino Perez's powers, I wrote a few posts about the excitement of a new era. However, I also saw the signs of treadmill wear & tear the looming"bust" after the bubble burst. Sticker shock therapy loomed.

Then came Mou, but I also saw some conflict.

Former Real Madrid President Ramon Calderon has sensationally compared Jose Mourinho to evil Nazi Dictator Adolf Hitler!

Calderon was president of Real Madrid between 2006 and 2009 and was speaking after Madrid's General Manager Jorge Valdano was dramatically sacked after a very public falling out with current Real boss Jose Mourinho.

Former Real Madrid president Ramon Calderon is at it again. He has given an interview in which he talked extensively about the current Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho. Calderon also had a thing or two to say about the current Real Madrid president Florentino Perez. Ramon Calderon has been known to make big statements since [.

Somehow, Deep Down Inside, we all knew that it was going to end in divorce between the 2 of them.
.When Florentino Perez became the President of Real Madrid for a second time, many probably felt that here we were again, right back on the pattern of hiring and firing at least one coach per season till the silverware came along.

Somehow, Deep Down Inside, we all knew that it was going to end in divorce between the 2 of them.
.When Florentino Perez became the President of Real Madrid for a second time, many probably felt that here we were again, right back on the pattern of hiring and firing at least one coach per season till the silverware came along.

Somehow, Deep Down Inside, we all knew that it was going to end in divorce between the 2 of them.
.When Florentino Perez became the President of Real Madrid for a second time, many probably felt that here we were again, right back on the pattern of hiring and firing at least one coach per season till the silverware came along.

Somehow, Deep Down Inside, we all knew that it was going to end in divorce between the 2 of them.
.When Florentino Perez became the President of Real Madrid for a second time, many probably felt that here we were again, right back on the pattern of hiring and firing at least one coach per season till the silverware came along.

Somehow, Deep Down Inside, we all knew that it was going to end in divorce between the 2 of them.
.When Florentino Perez became the President of Real Madrid for a second time, many probably felt that here we were again, right back on the pattern of hiring and firing at least one coach per season till the silverware came along.

Somehow, Deep Down Inside, we all knew that it was going to end in divorce between the 2 of them.
.When Florentino Perez became the President of Real Madrid for a second time, many probably felt that here we were again, right back on the pattern of hiring and firing at least one coach per season till the silverware came along.

Santiago Bernabeu Last Man Standing 2010/11 We don't know whether his relatively short odds on a return to Chelsea helped him, but Jose Mourinho has unexpectedly triumphed in the Real Madrid power struggle. The Special One's internal feud with Real's director general Jorge Valdano has come to an abrupt end with Valdano's sacking.

By Chris Wright

"You can't win, Florentino. If you strike me down, I shall become more powerful than you could possibly imagine."

Don't rumble with Jose Mourinho, you won't win...ever.

Sadly (or 'thankfully', depending on your particular bias), this is a life lesson that former Real Madrid director Jorge Valdano has had to learn the hard way.

The preparations are underway for Saturday's Champions League extravaganza! Cameras are being set up around the stadium, players are arriving in London (boyband swagger and all geez!) and the trophy is probably being polished in a fancy factory somewhere. Unless you're an annoyed Basque supporter (many of them are ready to annoy the living daylights out of the Catalans and Madrilenos), you have exactly two days to make your predictions.

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So that was how the season ended for Real Madrid. Sadly, it's another bridesmaid finish for us with the eternal rival taking all the plaudits and the bigger one, among the 2 domestic titles that were up for grabs at the start of the season. Nevermind that the Copa Del Rey trophy pre-Sergio Ramos looks far more elegant to the gangly and grotesque-looking La Liga trophy (complete with studs) – winning La Liga is still the ultimate proof that Barcelona this season were the better team.

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So that was how the season ended for Real Madrid. Sadly, it's another bridesmaid finish for us with the eternal rival taking all the plaudits and the bigger one, among the 2 domestic titles that were up for grabs at the start of the season. Nevermind that the Copa Del Rey trophy pre-Sergio Ramos looks far more elegant to the gangly and grotesque-looking La Liga trophy (complete with studs) – winning La Liga is still the ultimate proof that Barcelona this season were the better team.

.
So that was how the season ended for Real Madrid. Sadly, it's another bridesmaid finish for us with the eternal rival taking all the plaudits and the bigger one, among the 2 domestic titles that were up for grabs at the start of the season. Nevermind that the Copa Del Rey trophy pre-Sergio Ramos looks far more elegant to the gangly and grotesque-looking La Liga trophy (complete with studs) – winning La Liga is still the ultimate proof that Barcelona this season were the better team.

Nuri Sahin: A Fantastic Signing in my opinion
So it's official. Nuri Sahin, formerly of Borussia Dortmund is now officially a Real Madrid player.

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He is now the 3rd Bundesliga player to join Real Madrid in Florentino's 2nd stint at the Madrid presidency following Sami Khedira and Mesut Ozil.

Nuri Sahin: A Fantastic Signing in my opinion
So it's official. Nuri Sahin, formerly of Borussia Dortmund is now officially a Real Madrid player.

.

He is now the 3rd Bundesliga player to join Real Madrid in Florentino's 2nd stint at the Madrid presidency following Sami Khedira and Mesut Ozil.

Nuri Sahin: A Fantastic Signing in my opinion
So it's official. Nuri Sahin, formerly of Borussia Dortmund is now officially a Real Madrid player.

.

He is now the 3rd Bundesliga player to join Real Madrid in Florentino's 2nd stint at the Madrid presidency following Sami Khedira and Mesut Ozil.

Careful Mou. He might look like a pussy cat, but he bites hard. Image: Reuters/Daylife

Off the pitch, in the press conference room, Mr Mourinho is the f****** leader, the f****** boss, the person who knows everything about the world and I do not want to compete with him.

He can have his championship off the pitch, take it home and enjoy it.

Politics and Personality in Sport: In the Commercial Era, Does Tradition Matter? is a post from: Just Football

by Chris Woolfrey

In the last piece I wrote for Just Football I retold the story of Matthias Sindelar, the Austrian footballer who symbolised, in part, a nation's defiance of their Nazi occupiers; an archetype of Austria's considered and poetic passing game.