Real Madrid have confirmed the re-appointment of Jose Mourinho as first team coach.
It’s a dramatic return to the Bernabeu for Mourinho, 13 years after his first stint in charge of Real Madrid ended. During that initial spell in charge, Mourinho spent three years in Madrid, winning LaLiga with a record points total, as well as the Copa del Rey and Supercopa.
The former Chelsea and Manchester United manager, who took Benfica to an unbeaten league campaign last season, has signed a three-year contract with Real, which runs until June 30, 2029.
He will officially join the club on July 13 for the start of pre-season.
Benfica have previously stated Real Madrid would pay them £12.9m (€15m) in compensation for Mourinho.
The path was cleared for Mourinho to be named as Real Madrid’s new manager by the departure of Alvaro Arbeloa on Tuesday.
Benfica confirmed the departure of Mourinho and appointment of former Fulham boss Marco Silva a few hours later.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Gary Cotterill provides update on Jose Mourinho move to Real Madrid as he sends heartfelt message to Benfica.
A Real Madrid statement on Thursday evening read: “The Board of Directors of Real Madrid CF, meeting today Thursday, June 11, and chaired by Florentino Perez, has agreed to appoint Jose Mourinho as first team coach for the next three seasons, until June 30, 2029.”
Mourinho was expecting to start work two weeks ago after Madrid’s final LaLiga game of the season against Athletic Bilbao but a presidential election took place, which ended on Sunday with Perez winning. That then left everything in the clear for Mourinho to return
Mourinho will take five coaches with him to Real: his assistant coaches Joao Tralhao and Pedro Machado, his physical conditioning coach Antonio Dias, analyst Roberto Merella and goalkeeper coach Nuno Santos.
Vini Jnr relationship, maximise Mbappe… and win! Mourinho’s to-do list
Credit – PA/AP Photo/Getty
Sky Sports’ Peter Smith:
Jose Mourinho has been re-appointed by Real Madrid. It’s a dream return for the head coach – but when he gets down to business he will find a range of dilemmas which have to be solved if he is to deliver success in his second spell at the Bernabeu.
Real Madrid finished a distant second to Barcelona in LaLiga this past season, suffering the ignominy of their rivals sealing the crown with a Clasico victory at the Spotify Camp Nou. In the Champions League, Bayern Munich had too much firepower.
Real haven’t won a major trophy in the past two seasons. Here are the issues Mourinho will have to address to put the Spanish giants back on top.
‘A true Madridista’ – Perez’s Mourinho promise after re-election
Mourinho’s return to the Spanish capital had been delayed due to the recent presidential election at the club.
Florentino Perez overcame competition from Enrique Riquelme, and immediately confirmed that Mourinho would be returning to the Bernabeu.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Jamie Carragher gives his verdict on the news that Jose Mourinho is set to make a return to Real Madrid
“We have won the elections and will continue working to keep winning titles,” Perez said. “I am still here and I am here to defend Real Madrid.
“We will continue working so that Real Madrid keeps winning titles, and we will fight until the end to achieve the 16th European Cup.
“We will continue to take pride in the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, the best stadium in the world.
“We are proud to have the best players in the world, proud to welcome back one of the best coaches in the world, a Madridista like Jose Mourinho. And rest assured, with me as president, Real Madrid has been, is, and will always remain owned by its members.”
