Overview
- Reports on Saturday in AS, relayed by Goal, said Florentino Pérez has summoned Kylian Mbappé to the club offices for an urgent meeting after the forward’s complaints following Thursday’s win over Real Oviedo.
- Álvaro Arbeloa told reporters on Saturday that his relationship with Mbappé is unchanged and publicly endorsed José Mourinho as “number one,” speaking like a coach who expects a change at season’s end.
- Multiple outlets report Mourinho is the leading candidate to take over, with Fabrizio Romano saying an agreement could be reached very soon once the Benfica season ends.
- World Soccer Talk, citing TEAMtalk, reports Madrid intend to keep Mbappé as a central piece under the next coach, though that stance has not been confirmed by the club.
- The Associated Press notes Madrid ended a second straight season without a major title as fan jeers, player disputes and early elections called by Pérez underscored the urgency to reassert control.