Jose Mourinho tipped to return to Real Madrid by club's former president

Mourinho is still considering his options after being sacked by United in December

Former Real Madrid president Ramon Calderon believes that Jose Mourinho will return to manage the club next season.

Mourinho is still considering his options after being sacked by Manchester United in December.

He previously spent three years in the Spanish capital between 2010-2013 and is among those being considered as a replacement for Santiago Solari.

And Calderon, who was president of the club for three years, has said he can envisage Mourinho returning to the club.

He tweeted: “I have a feeling, and maybe a little more, that Mourinho will be on the Real Madrid bench next season.”

Meanwhile, Madrid have sacked youth coach Alvaro Benito after he made negative comments about their first team on a radio programme during Wednesday's 3-0 defeat to Barcelona in a Copa del Rey semi-final second leg.

In a statement released on Twitter on Friday, Benito said: “I respect the decision of the club, which I have always defended when appearing in the media. I always felt able to speak freely about the club I love.

“I leave with no resentment and will always be grateful to the club for everything it gave me as a player and in my first steps as a coach.”

Real Madrid did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

According to Spanish media reports, former Real striker Raul Gonzalez will succeed Benito as coach of the under-18 team.