Real Madrid confirm Mourinho exit

Real president Florentino Perez made the announcement in a special press conference at the Bernabeu stadium on Monday evening.

"Following the meeting of the board, we've come to two decisions," Perez said.

"We've decided to bring our relationship with manager Jose Mourinho to an end at the end of the current season. The club and the manager have agreed the time is right to bring out relationship to an end.

"The second point, article 38.b of the club's statutes, as president of Real Madrid I've spoken to the board members to inform them that we can now open the electoral process for Real Madrid president. Elections will be held on June 16 and I've decided to run for re-elecion."

Mourinho joined Real Madrid in the summer of 2010, winning the Copa del Rey in his first season and the Liga title the following campaign.

Mourinho signed a new contract at the Bernabeu last summer after winning the La Liga title but has endured a fractious relationship with players and club chiefs.

PSG coach Carlo Ancelotti is in line to replace him but Real bosses must first decide whether Mourinho takes charge of the final two games of the season or leaves before Saturday's visit to Real Sociedad.

Interim Chelsea manager Rafa Benitez has long intimated that Mourinho would be back at Stamford Bridge next season and dropped another hint during his final Cobham press conference on Friday.

Asked if he had any advice for his successor, Benitez said: "Maybe the next manager will have some experience here too, so I do not need to give him any advice."

As well as Madrid's lack of silverware this season, there have also been reports of dressing room unrest under Mourinho while home fans also appear to have turned on the Portuguese.

Supporters have been upset by Mourinho's treatment of long-serving goalkeeper Iker Casillas, who was dropped before Christmas and has been unable to win back his spot with Antonio Adan and now Diego Lopez preferred in his stead.

Madrid, who are guaranteed to finish runners-up in La Liga, have two games left this season, away to Real Sociedad this weekend and then at home to Osasuna on the final day.

Mourinho was widely praised for breaking Barcelona's dominance of the Spanish Liga last season after joining from Internazionale, with whom he won a domestic and European treble.

But he has had a fractious relationship with the Spanish media, league officials and even his own colleagues, falling out with several players including Real and Spain captain Iker Casillas.

As a result he was widely expected to depart this summer, but the failure to win the Copa after a shock defeat to city rivals Atletico means his exit may be precipitated ahead of schedule.