José Mourinho has signed a multi-year contract with Real Madrid. © ANSA / ANTONIO PEDRO SANTOS

It's now official: Mourinho is back at Real Madrid

José Mourinho is returning to Spanish football record champions Real Madrid. As the club announced, the Portuguese manager has signed a three-year contract. He will lead his first training session on July 13th, at the start of pre-season training, the statement continued.

June 11, 2026

From: dpa

Mourinho, who was in charge of Benfica Lisbon this season, had previously managed Real Madrid between 2010 and 2013. During that time, he won the Spanish Cup in 2011 and the league title in 2012. Benfica had already announced the Portuguese manager's move to Real Madrid via the X platform. According to the Portuguese club, Real Madrid paid €15 million for Mourinho's transfer.

Real Madrid president Florentino Pérez is known to be a big fan of Mourinho, whose contract with Benfica still had a year to run. However, the coach had a release clause. With Benfica, "The Special One" missed out on the league title this season.

No success with Xabi Alonso and Arbeloa

The 63-year-old succeeds Alvaro Arbeloa in Madrid, who also failed to lead Real Madrid back to success and ultimately finished without a title. In the Champions League, the capital club was eliminated in the quarterfinals by Bayern Munich, and in La Liga, they once again lost out to arch-rivals FC Barcelona.

Real Madrid started the season with former Bayer Leverkusen title-winning coach Xabi Alonso, but the long-time midfield star had to leave after six months. There had been repeated reports of differences with star players such as the eccentric Vinícius Junior.