Jose Mourinho is going back to the Bernabeu.
Real Madrid have agreed a two-year deal with the Portuguese coach, more than a decade after his first spell at the club came to a turbulent end. The contract runs until summer 2028 with an option to extend by a further year. An official announcement is expected after Real’s final league game against Athletic Club on Sunday before Mourinho is unveiled in Madrid next week.
ALSO: Real Madrid named world football’s biggest
He arrives from Benfica, where he finished the season on Saturday with a 3-1 win over Estoril – completing an unbeaten league campaign that saw the Lisbon club finish third in Liga Portugal. Mourinho will bring four members of his backroom staff with him to the Spanish capital.
🚨 BREAKING: José Mourinho back to Real Madrid, HERE WE GO! 💣🤍
All terms have been verbally agreed between José Mourinho and Real Madrid, waiting to sign all documents.
Plan for initial two year deal, JM to travel to Madrid after Real-Bilbao game.
The Special One is back. pic.twitter.com/K267WgiqjC
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) May 18, 2026
His first spell at Real Madrid ran from 2010 to 2013 and produced three trophies – the Copa del Rey in 2010-11, the La Liga title in 2011-12 and the Supercopa de Espana in 2012.
The league triumph was historic. Madrid won La Liga nine points clear of Barcelona, breaking records for points collected with 100 and goals scored with 121. It remains one of the most dominant single-season performances in the history of Spanish football.
In 178 matches as Real Madrid manager across all competitions, Mourinho won 127, drew 28 and lost 23 – a win percentage of 71.91 percent. His third and final season descended into chaos, marked by public clashes with players, the media and club officials. He left by mutual consent in the summer of 2013 describing it as the worst season of his career.
MORE: The 10 most successful managers in Champions League history
The context of his return could hardly be more stark. Real Madrid have endured one of their most chaotic seasons in recent memory – a training ground brawl between Valverde and Tchouameni, a 50 million strong petition to sell Kylian Mbappe, the exits of Carlo Ancelotti and Xabi Alonso within 12 months and a second consecutive season without a major trophy. Alvaro Arbeloa, who played under Mourinho during his first spell, has been in caretaker charge since January.
Xabi Alonso, who replaced Ancelotti only to be sacked seven months into the job, was appointed Chelsea manager on Sunday.
Mourinho has won 25 major trophies across his career including two Champions Leagues, three Premier League titles and league titles in four different countries. Real Madrid are betting that the man who once made them untouchable in Spain can restore order to a club that desperately needs it.
Photo: REUTERS/Alberto Lingria
