Real Madrid president Florentino Perez would've invited heavy opposition if he had pursued plans to bring Jose Mourinho.

Now in charge of Tottenham, Mourinho was being discussed at Real as the team struggled earlier this season under Zinedine Zidane.

Florentino, who is in regular contact with the Portuguese, favoured Mourinho's return.

However, L'Equipe says he was in the minority - with both senior board and locker room figures dead against the appointment.

In the end, Zidane managed to get Real back on track, with qualification to the Champions League round of 16 and having them well placed in the title race.