Ultimatum for Mourinho from Pérez? Spanish media name Portuguese manager's potential successor

Just nine matchdays into the La Liga season, Real Madrid find themselves trailing Barcelona by six points. As a result, the Portuguese manager's future at the helm is under serious threat, with Spanish media increasingly reporting on a potential overhaul at the Bernabéu.

Although his side recently secured a 4-1 league win over Sevilla and pulled off a thrilling 4-3 Champions League comeback against AS Roma, their performances on the pitch remain far from convincing. Journalist Jorge Picón was the first to report on the mounting dissatisfaction with José Mourinho's tenure.

"The doubts come from the boardroom, not the dressing room, where Mourinho still retains the full backing of his players. The club hierarchy is not convinced by what they are seeing on the pitch. They are also frustrated by Diomande's lack of starts and questioned certain in-game changes—such as the substitutions involving Arda Güler, which were viewed as poorly timed," the Spanish journalist wrote.

Behind-the-scenes details from the Spanish capital were also shared by Sergio Valentín, who claimed the club president delivered a clear message to his inner circle: "Florentino Pérez has told his closest associates that he has already lined up José Mourinho's successor should things fail to improve. That man is Didier Deschamps."

All signs point to José Mourinho fighting for his job in the coming days. The Spanish giants face a daunting fixture list ahead, clashing with RB Leipzig on Wednesday, October 21, before a high-stakes Clásico against Barcelona on Sunday, October 25.