Real Madrid have officially reappointed José Mourinho as head coach, ending weeks of intense speculation and signalling a new era at the Santiago Bernabéu.
The Spanish giants confirmed on Thursday that the club’s board of directors, chaired by Florentino Pérez, approved a three-year contract for the Portuguese tactician, running until 30 June 2029. Mourinho is scheduled to begin his second spell on 13 July, when pre-season preparations commence.
Mourinho previously managed Real Madrid between 2010 and 2013, restoring the club as a dominant force in Spanish football. During that period, he won the Copa del Rey (2011), the La Liga title (2012), and the Spanish Super Cup later that year. His 2011-12 side remains iconic, having secured the league with a record 100 points and scoring an unprecedented 121 goals, breaking Barcelona’s domestic stranglehold.
Now 63, “The Special One” arrives with one of the most decorated résumés in football history. He has won league titles in Portugal, England, Italy, and Spain, alongside two UEFA Champions League crowns with Porto and Inter Milan. His collection also includes the Europa League, UEFA Cup, and UEFA Conference League.
The decision follows two consecutive trophy-less seasons for Real Madrid. President Pérez, recently re-elected, reportedly viewed Mourinho’s return as central to restoring the club’s domestic and European dominance.
Mourinho left Benfica earlier this week to facilitate the move. He returns with a formidable record from his first tenure: 128 wins from 178 matches, yielding one of the highest win percentages of any permanent manager in the club’s history.