Mourinho returns to Real Madrid on three-year deal pending presidential election

Jose Mourinho has agreed a three-year contract to return as Real Madrid head coach, marking his second stint at the Spanish giants. The 63-year-old Portuguese manager is departing his current role at Benfica, where he has been in charge since September 2024, to take over at the Santiago Bernabeu.

The appointment is contingent on the outcome of Real Madrid’s presidential election, which is scheduled for 7 June. Consequently, Mourinho will not be officially unveiled as the new boss until after the vote concludes. He replaces Alvaro Arbeloa, who served as interim head coach from January following the departure of Xabi Alonso.

Mourinho’s previous tenure at Real Madrid spanned from 2010 to 2013, a period during which he secured La Liga, the Copa del Rey, and the Spanish Super Cup. His return comes after a difficult 2025-26 campaign for the club, which concluded without trophies. Barcelona secured the La Liga title with a 2-0 victory over Real Madrid in the El Clasico, while Los Blancos were eliminated from the Champions League quarter-finals by Bayern Munich on a 6-4 aggregate score.

Prior to his current role at Benfica, where he guided the Portuguese side to third place in the Primeira Liga, Mourinho managed a series of high-profile clubs including Chelsea, Manchester United, Tottenham, Roma, and Fenerbahce. His time at Roma included winning the Europa Conference League in 2022, while his second stint at Chelsea saw him win the Premier League and EFL Cup in the 2014-15 season.

The appointment signals a strategic shift for Real Madrid as they seek to restore domestic and European competitiveness. Mourinho’s track record of securing silverware, particularly during his initial period in Spain, positions him as a significant figure in the club’s ongoing efforts to reclaim their status among Europe’s elite.