Mourinho Returns to the Big Stage, Signs a Three‑Year Deal with Real Madrid

Jose Mourinho has signed a three‑year contract to become Real Madrid’s head coach.

The announcement will be formally made after the club’s presidential election, scheduled for 7 June. The agreement is contingent on the continuation of current president Florentino Perez in office.

Perez announced the election at an extraordinary press conference earlier this month, where he criticized journalists and La Liga and described an “organised campaign” against him.

The 79‑year‑old has held the presidency since 2009, and previously from 2000 to 2006, but the club has endured two consecutive trophy‑less seasons under his leadership.

Renewables entrepreneur Enrique Riquelme is challenging Perez in the first presidential election in 20 years that features a genuine opponent, although Perez is still expected to prevail.

Mourinho is leaving his post at Benfica, where he took charge in September and guided the club to third place in the Primeira Liga this season.

During his first spell at Real Madrid from 2010 to 2013, the Portuguese coach secured La Liga, the Copa del Rey and the Spanish Super Cup.

He will replace Alvaro Arbeloa, who had taken over in January after Xabi Alonso’s departure.

Real finished the 2025‑26 campaign without silverware, while Barcelona claimed the La Liga title with a 2‑0 win over Real in El Clásico.

The club’s Champions League journey ended with a 6‑4 aggregate loss to German champions Bayern Munich in the quarter‑finals.

After leaving Real in 2013, Mourinho returned to England for a second spell at Chelsea, winning his third Premier League title, the EFL Cup, and the Community Shield in the 2014‑15 season.

Following his departure from the Blues by mutual consent in 2015, he joined Manchester United on a three‑year contract in 2016. He secured the Europa League, EFL Cup and Community Shield in his first season but was sacked in December 2018 after a poor run of results.

Mourinho has also managed Tottenham, Serie A club Roma—where he won the Europa Conference League in 2022—and Turkish side Fenerbahce before taking over at Benfica.