Jose Mourinho returns to Real Madrid

Former club confirms Mourinho move

“The Special One” returns – high fee

15 million euros for a comeback: José Mourinho takes over Real Madrid again. His old employer, of all people, announced the change.

Star coach José Mourinho will coach Spanish record champions Real Madrid for the second time in his career. His previous club Benfica Lisbon announced on X that Real Madrid wanted to sign Mourinho for 15 million euros. The coach agreed to this. Benfica thanked Mourinho. There was initially no confirmation from Royal.

Sports media had already reported at the end of May that the change was coming. Mourinho, who was in charge of Benfica last season, had already coached the Madrilenians between 2010 and 2013. He won the Spanish Cup in 2011 and the championship in 2012. However, the time was rather disappointing for Real’s expectations and was ultimately characterized by power struggles.

After Real President Florentino Pérez was confirmed in office in last Sunday’s election, Mourinho’s return was announced. The 79-year-old construction magnate Pérez, who is considered a big supporter of the veteran coach, had to face an opposing candidate for the first time in a long time. He prevailed with around 65 percent of the votes.

The 63-year-old Mourinho succeeds Alvaro Arbeloa in Madrid, who was unable to lead Los Blancos back on the road to success and ultimately remained without a title. In the premier class, the capital club failed in the quarter-finals against FC Bayern Munich, and in the championship they lost out again against arch-rivals FC Barcelona. Arbeloa had already announced his departure in May, and now the club has made it official.

Real started the season with former Leverkusen master coach Xabi Alonso, but the long-time midfield star had to leave after six months. Differences with star players such as the eccentric Vinícius Junior were repeatedly reported.

Benfica also presented a direct successor to Mourinho in Marco Silva. Silva receives a two-year contract.