Mourinho tipped to succeed Benitez at Real Madrid

Jose Mourinho is heading back to Real Madrid - and could be in charge within a month, according to the club’s former president.

Ramon Calderon says there is “no doubt” that manager Mourinho will replace Rafa Benitez after being axed by Chelsea.

We revealed in October that Mourinho - whose first term at the Bernabeu ended in 2013 after a string of rows and bust-ups - is No1 target of current Real president Florentino Perez.

Ex-Liverpool boss Benitez could be axed if Real Madrid lose to Valencia on January 3 and Calderon insists the decision could even come sooner.

In an interview with beIN Sports, said: “In my opinion, no doubt, he (Mourinho) will be here next season — if not before.

“Maybe on January 3, they have a difficult game with Valencia, it can happen then. They will talk about it this week.

“It’s about putting pieces together. Perez likes him very much, that’s not a secret, he brought him here. Benitez is having problems.

"A lot of people are happy if Mourinho comes back. If you put the pieces together, put it in an envelope and you have the winner: Jose Mourinho.

“Mourinho is a good coach, good manager, but when he was here before, he was not the right one for Real Madrid. But Perez has never stopped liking him and believing in him.”

It is understood Mourinho - currently on £12m-a-year - has already been sounded out by his advisers and Chelsea would welcome him getting a job quickly as they would not have to carry on paying him.