Jose Mourinho is set to make a sensational return to Real Madrid, with an official announcement expected next Sunday or Monday following the conclusion of La Liga's 2025-26 season. The Portuguese tactician has verbally agreed to a two-year contract after months of speculation surrounding his future at Benfica, where he spent the last campaign.
Madrid's final league fixture comes on Saturday against Athletic Club at Santiago Bernabeu. Club president Florentino Perez has orchestrated the reunion with Mourinho, who previously managed Los Blancos between 2010 and 2013, when he established the foundation for years of continental dominance. The 61-year-old left Benfica despite earlier insisting there was a 99 percent chance he would remain in Lisbon, ultimately unable to resist the pull of returning to Spain's capital.
Why Madrid Turned Back to Mourinho
Real Madrid finished second to Barcelona in La Liga this season and exited the Champions League in the quarter-finals, extending a disappointing trophy drought into a second consecutive year. Both Alvaro Arbeloa and his predecessor Xabi Alonso failed to deliver silverware during their respective tenures. Perez identified Mourinho as the solution to restore competitiveness and address systemic issues plaguing the squad.
Mourinho has already begun saying his goodbyes at Benfica and acknowledged preliminary discussions with Madrid's leadership through his agent Jorge Mendes. "I haven't heard anything from Real Madrid yet, but there are conversations between my agent, the president, and the club's management," Mourinho said recently. He confirmed he will personally speak with Madrid officials next week before making his final decision.
Building a New Project
The incoming manager plans to demand total commitment and overhaul Madrid's pre-season protocols and rotation strategies. Recurring muscle injuries have weakened the squad over recent campaigns, an issue Mourinho intends to tackle immediately. His appointment arrives as Perez stands for re-election, though sources indicate the contract may include a clause allowing potential rival candidate Enrique Riquelme to pursue alternative managerial options if he wins those elections.
Mourinho's return represents a bold bid by Madrid to reclaim La Liga supremacy and reassert themselves as Champions League contenders under a manager with proven pedigree in European competition. His first challenge will be rebuilding squad cohesion and establishing a winning mentality after two years without silverware.
