José Mourinho Signs Three-Year Deal To Return As Real Madrid Manager

Spread the love

By Sedara Philip

José Mourinho is set for a sensational return to Real Madrid after agreeing to a three-year contract to become the club’s new head coach.

The Portuguese tactician has reportedly signed the deal ahead of a planned official unveiling, which will take place after Real Madrid’s presidential election scheduled for June 7. However, the agreement is contingent on incumbent president Florentino Pérez retaining his position.

Pérez announced the upcoming election during an extraordinary press conference earlier this month, where he strongly criticized sections of the media and La Liga, claiming there was an “organized campaign” against him.

The veteran administrator, who has served as Real Madrid president since 2009 after an earlier spell between 2000 and 2006, is facing a challenger for the first time in two decades. Renewable energy entrepreneur Enrique Riquelme has entered the race, although Pérez remains the overwhelming favorite to secure another term.

Mourinho will leave Benfica, where he has been in charge since September. During his brief tenure, he guided the Portuguese giants to a third-place finish in the Primeira Liga.

The 63-year-old is no stranger to the Santiago Bernabéu, having previously managed Real Madrid from 2010 to 2013. During that successful spell, he won the La Liga title, Copa del Rey, and Spanish Super Cup while helping the club re-establish itself among Europe’s elite.

He succeeds Álvaro Arbeloa, who was appointed in January following Xabi Alonso’s departure. Arbeloa was unable to halt a disappointing campaign that saw Real Madrid finish the 2025-26 season without silverware.

Their domestic frustrations were compounded by rivals Barcelona clinching the La Liga title, sealing their triumph with a 2-0 victory in El Clásico. In Europe, Real’s UEFA Champions League hopes were ended by Bayern Munich, who progressed from the quarter-finals with a 6-4 aggregate victory.

Since leaving Madrid in 2013, Mourinho has enjoyed a globe-trotting managerial career. He returned to Chelsea for a second spell and delivered the Premier League title and League Cup during the 2014-15 season.

He later joined Manchester United in 2016, leading the club to UEFA Europa League, EFL Cup, and Community Shield success before departing in 2018.

Subsequent managerial stints took him to Tottenham Hotspur, Roma, where he guided the Italian club to the inaugural UEFA Europa Conference League title in 2022, and Turkish side Fenerbahçe before his latest assignment with Benfica.

Now, Mourinho returns to one of football’s biggest stages, tasked with restoring Real Madrid to domestic and European dominance after a disappointing trophyless campaign.