Mou freed up for Real gig

Jose Mourinho is available for a dramatic return to Real Madrid after Manchester United paid him a reported £15 million in compensation following his sacking last month, according to British media on Thursday. The Daily Mail reports that a source close to Mourinho -- whose contract was due to run till the end of the 2019/20 campaign with the option of an extra season -- has revealed that compensation has been paid. The pay-out leaves the 55-year-old Portuguese free to be considered for Madrid if the club decide to dismiss under-pressure coach Santiago Solari. Mourinho's time at Real between 2010-2013 -- which brought a league title and a Spanish Cup but saw them largely play second fiddle to Barcelona -- ended as it did at United and Chelsea, with bad results and discord in the dressing room. - --Afp