Spanish giants Real Madrid have appointed Jose Mourinho as head coach on a three-year contract, marking the Portuguese veteran’s sensational return to the Santiago Bernabéu 13 years after his first spell at the club.
Gatekeepers News reports that Mourinho, 63, succeeds Alvaro Arbeloa following a disappointing campaign in which Madrid ended a second consecutive season without a major trophy, trailing rivals FC Barcelona.
In a statement, Real Madrid confirmed the appointment.
“Real Madrid have agreed to appoint Jose Mourinho as the first team’s head coach for the next three seasons, until June 30, 2029,” the club said.
“Jose Mourinho will join Real Madrid on July 13, the day preseason begins.”
Mourinho returns to Madrid from Benfica, where he recently oversaw an unbeaten league campaign. Benfica revealed on Wednesday that Real Madrid paid €15 million ($17.25 million) to secure the services of the experienced coach.
The Portuguese tactician previously managed Real Madrid between 2010 and 2013, winning a La Liga title, the Copa del Rey and the Spanish Super Cup during an era dominated by fierce competition with Pep Guardiola’s Barcelona side.
Under Mourinho, Real Madrid became the first club to reach the 100-point mark in a La Liga season, achieving the feat during the 2011-12 campaign.
However, his first stint was also marked by divisions within the dressing room. While some players remained fiercely loyal to him, others reportedly clashed with the outspoken manager.
Tasked With Restoring Order
Mourinho returns at a time when Real Madrid are seeking to restore stability after a turbulent season characterised by internal tensions and inconsistent performances.
Reports of dressing-room disputes, including a confrontation between midfielders Federico Valverde and Aurelien Tchouameni, highlighted the challenges facing the club.
Madrid have also struggled to find the right balance among their star-studded attacking lineup, with coaches including Carlo Ancelotti, Xabi Alonso and Arbeloa unable to consistently integrate Vinicius Junior, Kylian Mbappe and Jude Bellingham without upsetting the team’s balance.
Earlier this year, Real Madrid president Florentino Perez credited Mourinho with laying the foundation for the club’s recent dominance in Europe, which included six UEFA Champions League titles won after the Portuguese coach’s departure.
Perez had pledged to bring Mourinho back if re-elected as club president, a promise he has now fulfilled.
Return to the European Elite
Mourinho’s appointment also represents a return to football’s highest level after several years away from the sport’s elite circles.
The Portuguese first gained worldwide recognition after leading FC Porto to UEFA Champions League glory in 2004. He then enjoyed major success with Chelsea FC, winning back-to-back Premier League titles in 2005 and 2006.
Known for branding himself “The Special One,” Mourinho later guided Inter Milan to a historic treble, including Champions League success in 2010.
Following his first spell at Real Madrid, Mourinho returned to Chelsea and won another Premier League title in 2015 before managing Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur and AS Roma.
His later honours included the Europa League and EFL Cup with Manchester United in 2017 and the UEFA Europa Conference League with Roma in 2022.
After a brief and unsuccessful spell with Fenerbahce, Mourinho joined Benfica in 2025 before securing his dramatic return to Madrid.
