Story perspectives

Barcelona’s El Clasico lead on Mourinho’s job pressure

By Drooid · Oct 25, 2026, 6:09 AM UTC · How we work

Summary

Mourinho Preps El Clasico

Real Madrid manager José Mourinho prepares his team for the El Clasico at Camp Nou on 25 October 2026.
Barcelona lead the league by six points, having recorded nine wins and 39 goals.
A Barcelona win would widen the league gap to nine points.
A Real win would cut the gap to three points.
Barcelona miss Olmo, Kounde, Garcia and Christensen.

Summary

Mourinho Faces Dismissal

Mundo Deportivo warned José Mourinho that Madrid dismisses coaches after Clasico defeats, naming Xabi Alonso.
It also cited Julen Lopetegui and Rafa Benítez as coaches fired after such losses.
The paper named Didier Deschamps as a possible successor if Mourinho’s results worsen.
Real Madrid’s board publicly reaffirmed backing of Mourinho despite mounting pressure.
Mourinho’s Clasico record rose to three wins in his last five, and he faces Hansi Flick’s record.

History

Historical Context

In the 1995-96 campaign Real Madrid, newly led by president Lorenzo Sanz after Ramón Mendoza’s November resignation, slipped to a sixth-place finish—their poorest league result since 1976-77 and a first absence from European competition since 1977. After a 3-0 El Clásico defeat to Barcelona in March 1996, Sanz dismissed coach Jorge Valdano, echoing the season’s broader turmoil.

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Mourinho Preps El Clasico

Real Madrid manager José Mourinho prepares his team for the El Clasico at Camp Nou on 25 October 2026.
Barcelona lead the league by six points, having recorded nine wins and 39 goals.
A Barcelona win would widen the league gap to nine points.
A Real win would cut the gap to three points.
Barcelona miss Olmo, Kounde, Garcia and Christensen.

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