Real Madrid president Florentino Pérez has confirmed that they have sacked coach Manuel Pellegrini and intended to appoint José Mourinho in his place.
Despite accumulating 96 points and scoring 102 goals in La Liga, Real were eclipsed by champions Barcelona who finished the campaign with a remarkable 99 points.
Finishing the season empty-handed, a second-round exit from the Champions League to Olympique Lyon did little for Pellegrini's chances of remaining in charge.
Speaking at a press conference following a board meeting at the Bernabéu, Pérez said: "We have dedicated the last few weeks to analysing and reflecting on the season and we have decided to bring an end to Manuel Pellegrini’s time with the club.
"We want to thank him and his team for their hard work, professionalism and conduct.
"The change of coach is always difficult, but we are convinced that after this first year and this first phase, now is the moment to give a new impulse to our project.
"Winning and being leaders in Europe has always been the desire of our members and fans, and therefore, that's the objective of this board."
Pellegrini's departure now opens the door for Mourinho.
However, Real will have to wait until the Special One resolves his contract negotiations with Inter Milan, with whom he has a deal until June 2012, to confirm the Portuguese as their new coach.
Pérez added: "We are convinced that we need a fresh impulse and we are convinced that José Mourinho is the right person to take on the job.
"There is nobody on the board who has given an opinion against the signing of José Mourinho, on the contrary, they are enthusiastic at being able to recruit one of the best coaches in the world."
Pérez employed six different coaches during his first reign at the club between 2000-06, and if Mourinho takes charge he will be the 11th coach Los Merengues have had in the last seven years.
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Despite accumulating 96 points and scoring 102 goals in La Liga, Real were eclipsed by champions Barcelona who finished the campaign with a remarkable 99 points.
Finishing the season empty-handed, a second-round exit from the Champions League to Olympique Lyon did little for Pellegrini's chances of remaining in charge.
Speaking at a press conference following a board meeting at the Bernabéu, Pérez said: "We have dedicated the last few weeks to analysing and reflecting on the season and we have decided to bring an end to Manuel Pellegrini’s time with the club.
"We want to thank him and his team for their hard work, professionalism and conduct.
"The change of coach is always difficult, but we are convinced that after this first year and this first phase, now is the moment to give a new impulse to our project.
"Winning and being leaders in Europe has always been the desire of our members and fans, and therefore, that's the objective of this board."
Pellegrini's departure now opens the door for Mourinho.
However, Real will have to wait until the Special One resolves his contract negotiations with Inter Milan, with whom he has a deal until June 2012, to confirm the Portuguese as their new coach.
Pérez added: "We are convinced that we need a fresh impulse and we are convinced that José Mourinho is the right person to take on the job.
"There is nobody on the board who has given an opinion against the signing of José Mourinho, on the contrary, they are enthusiastic at being able to recruit one of the best coaches in the world."
Pérez employed six different coaches during his first reign at the club between 2000-06, and if Mourinho takes charge he will be the 11th coach Los Merengues have had in the last seven years.
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