Real Madrid have officially announced the re-appointment of Jose Mourinho as their head coach, marking a significant return for the Portuguese manager. Mourinho has agreed to a three-year deal and is set to commence his duties when the club's pre-season training begins on 13 July. This move sees him return to the Spanish giants more than a decade after his initial tenure.
The agreement involved Real Madrid compensating Benfica with £13 million (15 million euros) to secure Mourinho's services. This financial commitment underscores the club's determination to bring back a figure synonymous with past successes. The reappointment follows a pledge made by Real Madrid President Florentino Perez, who had vowed to reinstate Mourinho if he won re-election earlier this month. Perez, 79, who has led the club since 2009, comfortably secured his position by garnering 65% of the votes, defeating challenger Enrique Riquelme.
This will be Mourinho's second period in charge at the Bernabéu. His first stint, which commenced in 2010 and spanned three seasons, was notably successful, delivering a La Liga title, a Copa del Rey, and a Spanish Super Cup to the club. Since his departure from Real Madrid, Mourinho has managed several high-profile clubs, including Premier League teams Chelsea, Manchester United, and Tottenham Hotspur, alongside spells at Roma, Fenerbahce, and most recently, Benfica.
During his solitary season at Benfica, Mourinho guided the club to an undefeated Liga Portugal campaign. Despite this impressive league record, it was only sufficient for a third-place finish. Benfica has since moved to appoint former Fulham manager Marco Silva as Mourinho's replacement, finalising that deal earlier this week.
Mourinho's return to Real Madrid comes at a critical juncture for the club, which has experienced a trophy drought over the past two seasons. The expectation is that his renowned winning mentality and tactical prowess will reignite the team's fortunes and restore them to contention for major honours, both domestically and in European competition.