Real Madrid appointed Jose Mourinho as head coach on Thursday on a three-year deal, marking the Portuguese veteran's sensational return to the Spanish capital after 13 years away. The 63-year-old replaces Alvaro Arbeloa after Madrid endured a second consecutive season without a major trophy, falling behind domestic rivals Barcelona.
Official Announcement
"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 15-time European champions said in a statement. "Mourinho will join Real Madrid on July 13, when preseason preparations begin."
One of football's most successful yet divisive managers, Mourinho arrives from Benfica, where the Lisbon club completed an unbeaten league campaign but still finished third overall. Benfica confirmed on Wednesday that Real Madrid would pay 15 million euros to secure the Portuguese coach's services.
Previous Stint at Madrid
Mourinho previously managed Madrid between 2010 and 2013, winning La Liga, the Copa del Rey, and the Spanish Super Cup during an intense era of rivalry with Pep Guardiola's dominant Barcelona side. Under Mourinho, Real Madrid became the first club to reach 100 points in a La Liga season during the 2011-12 campaign, although Barcelona matched the feat the following season before Mourinho's departure.
However, Mourinho's first spell also divided the dressing room. Some players — including his predecessor Arbeloa — remained fiercely loyal to him, while others clashed openly with the coach. Known for his strict managerial style, Mourinho now returns with the task of restoring discipline and balance to a squad troubled by internal conflicts throughout the season.
Internal Conflicts
Madrid midfielder Fede Valverde was reportedly treated in hospital after a confrontation with teammate Aurelien Tchouameni in May, among several incidents that highlighted tensions within the squad. Former coaches Carlo Ancelotti, Xabi Alonso, and Arbeloa also struggled to successfully integrate star players Vinicius Junior, Kylian Mbappe, and Jude Bellingham without disrupting the team's balance.
President's Support
Speaking on Spanish television earlier in May, Madrid president Florentino Perez credited Mourinho with laying the foundation for the club's six recent Champions League titles achieved after his departure. Perez had promised to bring Mourinho back if reelected president earlier this month — a pledge he has now fulfilled.
Return to Elite Level
Mourinho's return to Madrid also signals his comeback to Europe's elite level after several years away from the top of the game. The coach first rose to global prominence after leading Porto to Champions League glory in 2004 before guiding Chelsea to back-to-back Premier League titles in 2005 and 2006.
Mourinho famously labelled himself "the Special One" as his Chelsea side dominated English football, before later guiding Inter Milan to a historic treble, including the Champions League title, in 2010. Perez initially appointed Mourinho at Madrid to counter Guardiola's powerful Barcelona side — a mission he achieved to some extent during a fiery and controversial spell that also affected harmony within the Spanish national team.
After leaving Madrid, Mourinho returned to Chelsea and won another Premier League title in 2015 before taking charge of Manchester United, Tottenham, Roma, and other clubs. He won the EFL Cup and Europa League with Manchester United in 2017, while his only major trophy since then came with Roma, whom he led to the UEFA Conference League title in 2022.
Mourinho was sacked by Turkish side Fenerbahce in August 2025 after failing to guide them past Benfica in a Champions League qualification play-off, before Benfica appointed him the following month.
