Real line up Mourinho as Pellegrini is sacked

MADRID - Jose Mourinho was poised to become Real Madrid coach on Wednesday after the Spanish giants sacked Manuel Pellegrini.

Following weeks of frantic media speculation, the La Liga giants ditched Chilean Pellegrini in favor of the flamboyant Mourinho, who led Inter Milan to the Champions League title and Italian league and Cup double last season.

Real president Florentino Perez told a news conference in the bowels of the Bernabeu stadium, scene of Inter's Champions League triumph last weekend, the 47-year-old Portuguese would join Real once his contract termination had been agreed.