Mourinho named Real Madrid coach on three-year deal
Real Madrid have announced the appointment of Jose Mourinho as their new head coach on a three-year contract, marking the Portuguese tactician’s dramatic return to the Spanish capital after a 13-year absence.
Mourinho, 63, succeeds Alvaro Arbeloa following another disappointing campaign in which Los Blancos ended the season without securing a major trophy, while once again trailing rivals Barcelona.
In an official statement released on Thursday, the 15-time European champions confirmed that Mourinho will lead the first team until June 30, 2029.
The club stated: “Real Madrid and Jose Mourinho have reached an agreement for him to become the first-team head coach for the next three seasons. He will officially join the club on July 13 when preseason preparations begin.”
Widely regarded as one of football’s most accomplished yet controversial managers, Mourinho arrives from Benfica, where he oversaw an unbeaten domestic league campaign. Despite that achievement, the Lisbon-based side finished third in the standings.
Benfica revealed on Wednesday that Real Madrid paid €15 million ($17.25 million) to secure the services of the veteran coach.
Mourinho previously managed Real Madrid from 2010 to 2013, winning the La Liga title, Copa del Rey, and Spanish Super Cup during a fiercely competitive era dominated by Pep Guardiola’s Barcelona.
Under Mourinho, Madrid became the first team in La Liga history to reach the 100-point mark during the 2011–12 season. Barcelona later matched the feat the following year before Mourinho left the club.
His first spell at the Santiago Bernabeu was marked by both success and division. While some players remained strongly supportive of his leadership, others frequently clashed with him.
Known for his strict managerial style, Mourinho now faces the challenge of restoring order and discipline within a squad that experienced several internal issues during a difficult season.
One notable incident occurred in May when midfielder Fede Valverde required hospital treatment following an altercation with teammate Aurelien Tchouameni.
Previous coaches Carlo Ancelotti, Xabi Alonso, and Arbeloa also struggled to find the right balance while accommodating star players Vinicius Junior, Kylian Mbappe, and Jude Bellingham in the same lineup.
Earlier in May, Real Madrid president Florentino Perez praised Mourinho’s influence on the club’s modern success, crediting him with laying the foundation for six Champions League titles won after his departure.
Perez had also promised to bring Mourinho back if re-elected club president earlier this month, a pledge he has now fulfilled.
Return to Europe’s Elite
Mourinho’s comeback to Madrid signals a return to the highest level of European football after spending several years away from the game’s biggest stage.
The Portuguese coach first gained global recognition after guiding Porto to Champions League glory in 2004. He then led Chelsea to consecutive Premier League titles in 2005 and 2006.
During his time in England, Mourinho famously described himself as “the Special One” as Chelsea dominated domestic football.
He later enjoyed further success with Inter Milan, leading the Italian giants to a historic treble, including the Champions League title, in 2010.
Florentino Perez initially brought Mourinho to Madrid to challenge Guardiola’s dominant Barcelona side, a mission he partially achieved despite a turbulent and highly competitive period.
Following his departure from Spain, Mourinho returned to Chelsea and captured another Premier League title in 2015. He later managed Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur, Roma, and several other clubs.
His achievements after Madrid included winning the EFL Cup and UEFA Europa League with Manchester United in 2017, while his most recent European success came with Roma’s UEFA Europa Conference League triumph in 2022.
Mourinho was dismissed by Turkish club Fenerbahce in August 2025 after failing to overcome Benfica in a Champions League qualifying playoff. A month later, he was appointed Benfica manager before now securing a return to Real Madrid.