Deschamps to succeed Mourinho at Real Madrid if Merengues lose Clasico

Didier Deschamps could find himself on Real Madrid’s bench as early as next week. According to journalist Emmanuel Galasso, Merengues president Florentino Perez has already made his choice: in the event of a defeat against FC Barcelona in Sunday’s Clasico, José Mourinho would be sacked and the former France manager would succeed him.

Deschamps left the helm of the France national team at the end of the 2026 World Cup, after fourteen years in charge. Free of any commitment, he has been linked with the Madrid club by the Spanish press for several days. Galasso claims the deal is “well advanced” and that this is not the first time Perez has thought of him: back in 2012, the executive had approached him when Deschamps was leaving Marseille — it was ultimately the France national team project that won out. At the time, the Portuguese coach was already on the bench at the Casa Blanca.

Within the Real Madrid dressing room, Kylian Mbappé would be one of the most active supporters of this appointment. The quasi-paternal relationship between the French striker and his former manager is well known. Galasso tempers this argument, however: Mbappé is already perceived by some teammates as enjoying privileged status, and the arrival of his mentor would probably only fuel these internal tensions.

The journalist also expresses doubts about the relevance of the choice. He judges Deschamps’ club record as “somewhat light” for the position of Real Madrid coach, and describes this scenario as “total nonsense” from a sporting standpoint — while acknowledging that it remains, at this stage, “the most likely” if the Merengues lose on Sunday.