Jose Mourinho has agreed to return as Real Madrid’s head coach on a two-year contract, with an option for a further year. The club plan to make the move public after their final LaLiga game against Athletic Club on Sunday, with a formal unveiling in Madrid expected next week.
Real are bringing Mourinho back 13 years after his first spell at the Bernabéu. The board have decided to recruit the experienced Portuguese to restore discipline and stability after a turbulent, trophyless season that saw off-field incidents and a fractious dressing room dominate headlines.
Alvaro Arbeloa has been interim coach since Xabi Alonso was dismissed in January. Mourinho inherits a squad with big personalities and high expectations and will be judged on his ability to impose order and get results where recent successors have struggled.
Mourinho finished the season with Benfica, beating Estoril 3-1 on Saturday to complete an unbeaten domestic league campaign and finish third in Portugal. His two-year Benfica contract, signed eight months ago, contained a buyout clause of £2.6m that allows him to leave, and Sky Sports understands Mourinho will bring four members of his backroom team with him to Madrid.
The appointment was negotiated by Jorge Mendes and reflects Mourinho’s long-standing relationship with Real president Florentino Pérez from his previous tenure.
Reaction has been mixed. Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher said Mourinho has an outstanding managerial record but questioned whether returning to a former manager is the right solution to heal the squad, suggesting the move shows how clubs often fall back on established big names when options feel limited.
Others expect Mourinho to use a firmer presence to steady the club. Tim Sherwood, who recently met Mourinho, described him as energised by the challenge and suggested the manager is more measured now than in earlier years — less heavy-handed and more likely to combine authority with man-management.
Sky Sports chief correspondent Kaveh Solhekol summarised the task ahead: Real Madrid need a clear reset on and off the pitch. Key issues include repairing relations with Vinicius Jr and integrating superstar signings so the team can function together — notably balancing roles if both Kylian Mbappé and Vinicius remain central figures.
Mourinho’s first spell in Madrid produced notable successes. He ended Barcelona’s dominance by winning the Copa del Rey and then led Real to the 2011/12 LaLiga title in a record-breaking campaign that reached 100 points. That side still holds the LaLiga scoring record (121 goals) and shares the record for most league wins (32) in a season.
Mourinho was reportedly offered the Real job in 2021 but was unable to accept because he had committed to Roma at that time. He now returns to a club eager for immediate improvement, hoping his experience and relationship with the president can steady a squad in need of direction.