Jose Mourinho, 63, spent three years in Madrid where he won LaLiga and Copa del Rey before his acrimonious departure in 2013 that saw him falling out with prominent players, like Iker Casillas and Sergio Ramos, prior to that.
However, the ex-Chelsea, Manchester United and Tottenham boss has insisted he has maintained a good relationship with Real president Florentino Perez and still admires the club.
And according to AS, the Benfica boss is being eyed by Los Blancos as a candidate to oversee next season at Santiago Bernabeu.
The Merengues’ wishlist also includes former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp as well as ex-Tottenham and Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino.
The same source claims Mourinho’s agent Jorge Mendes has offered his client to the Spanish giants and informed them of his release clause at Benfica, where he has a contract until 2027.
Real will surely be looking for a new manager in June as interim boss Alvaro Arbeloa hasn’t managed to make a case after replacing former head coach Xabi Alonso.
Real sit six points behind Barcelona in LaLiga having played a game more, and were knocked out of the Champions League by Bayern Munich.
Klopp, 58, appears to be the favourite to take over at the helm and is reportedly keen on the job after two years away from the dugouts as Red Bull’s Head of Global Soccer.
Pochettino, 54, has overseen a shaky start as USA manager and could be let go if they national team don’t impress in the summer’s World Cup, which takes place in North America.
The Argentine is unlikely to stay in his position if the US fail to deliver at home soil as his contract runs out after the tournament.
Nagelsmann, 38, has impressed as Germany manager but still a lot will be expected from him at the World Cup where he will have to at least make the quarter-finals.
Nevertheless, the German tactician has a contract until 2028 and could get more time until the Euros in England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland.
That is of course if Germany chiefs don’t decide to go with someone else, with reports also suggesting Klopp is keen on the job.
Deschamps, 57, is leaving France when his contract runs out after the tournament following a staggering 14 years in charge and a World Cup triumph under his belt.
Real legend Zinedine Zidane looks set to replace his former Tricolores team-mate.
Allegri, 58, has a contract until 2027 and looks set to lose the Serie A title to rivals Inter Milan.
The Italian also faces the risk of finishing third behind defending champions Napoli.