Real Madrid have reportedly lined up former player Xabi Alonso as their new assistant manager ahead of a possible move for Jose Mourinho next summer.
Mourinho has been linked with a return to the Bernabeu amid uncertainty over his future at Old Trafford, with Manchester United languishing eighth in the Premier League table and already 18 points adrift of leaders Manchester City.
The Portuguese is confident that Madrid president Florentino Perez will be willing to offer him an escape route from Manchester at the end of the current campaign, despite Santiago Solari currently being in charge of the European champions.
Solari recently signed a three-year deal in the Spanish capital, but reports have suggested that Perez will look for a replacement next summer.
OK Diario reports that Madrid are beginning to put the first plans in place to bring Mourinho back to the club, including identifying Alonso as a potential number two.
The pair previously worked together at Madrid, and the former Liverpool midfielder would reportedly be open to the idea of reuniting as a coaching team.
Mourinho spent three years in charge of Madrid, during which time he won one league title and one Copa del Rey.
Barney Corkhill
