Jose Mourinho returns to Real Madrid for second spell in charge of La Liga giants following Florentino Perez's re-election as president
Updated 12/06/2026 at 14:43 GMT+1
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Jose Mourinho is returning to the Real Madrid dugout after being appointed to lead Los Blancos next season. He previously spent three years in charge at Madrid.
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Mourinho’s appointment was ratified after Florentino Perez was re-elected as president of the Bernabeu club on Sunday night.
The club said in a statement: "The board of directors of Real Madrid CF has agreed to appoint Jose Mourinho as first-team coach for the next three seasons, until June 30, 2029."
The 63-year-old leaves Benfica after one season in charge, having guided the Portuguese club through an unbeaten domestic campaign, finishing third in the Primeira Liga after taking over in September.
Mourinho previously managed Madrid between 2010 and 2013, winning La Liga, the Copa del Rey and the Spanish Super Cup during his first spell at the Bernabeu, before departing at the end of a disappointing 2012/13 campaign.
He replaces Alvaro Arbeloa, who had been appointed in January following Xabi Alonso’s departure.
Madrid endured a 2025/26 season to forget, finishing trophyless. It started with such optimism after the arrival of Alonso in the summer, but the Spaniard lasted less than eight months before he was relieved of his duties.
In stepped interim head coach Arbeloa, but things continued to spiral downward. It culminated in a chaotic week that featured an alleged dressing-room row that left Federico Valverde in hospital and a 2-0 loss that saw fierce rivals Barcelona wrap up the Liga title.
Meanwhile, Bayern Munich knocked Madrid out of the UEFA Champions League with a 6-4 aggregate win in the quarter-finals.
Since leaving Real in 2013, Mourinho has managed Chelsea, Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur, Roma and Fenerbahce.
During his second spell at Chelsea, he won the Premier League and League Cup in 2014/15. He later joined Man Utd in 2016, winning the UEFA Europa League, League Cup and Community Shield in his first season before leaving the club in December 2018.
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Mourinho also guided Roma to the UEFA Europa Conference League title in 2022 before returning to Portugal to take charge of Benfica.
He guided Benfica to an unbeaten season in Liga Portugal, though his side still finished third behind Sporting CP and Porto after drawing 11 of their 34 matches.
Madrid have now confirmed the return of Mourinho in time for the off-season, giving him a full summer transfer window before 2026/27 begins.
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