Real Madrid could be open to bringing Jose Mourinho back to the Bernabeu should the Portuguese coach leave Chelsea, according to former president of the Spanish club Ramon Calderon.

Mourinho remains determined to turn the fortunes of the Premier League champions around, but has seen his position come under scrutiny following a poor run of results which sees Chelsea in 16th place.

Calderon believes should the Spaniards decide to dispense with the services of current boss Rafael Benitez – whose side are second in La Liga but remains to win over some sections of the supporters – then a move for Mourinho might be an option, especially given his relationship with current president Florentino Perez.

Mourinho was in charge at Real Madrid from May 2010 until June 2013, winning the league title in 2011/12.

Calderon, who was in his role at Real Madrid from 2006 to 2009, said: “It is not a secret that the current Real president has backed Mourinho many times. He likes him a lot and you can’t rule out seeing him again on the bench at the Bernabeu.

“I know it seems strange, but if Benitez doesn’t have a good season and Mourinho gets sacked by Chelsea, I insist you can’t rule out seeing him here again.

“I know that the president tried to have him here instead of Benitez, but Mourinho said he didn’t want it and that it wasn’t the right time to come back.”