MADRID — José Mourinho has reportedly signed a contract to return as Real Madrid manager, setting up a dramatic second spell at the Santiago Bernabéu more than a decade after his first tenure ended.
According to reports citing The Athletic, Mourinho has agreed to a three-year deal running until June 2029. However, Real Madrid are not expected to make an official announcement until after the club’s presidential election, scheduled for June 7, 2026.
The timing is politically sensitive because incumbent president Florentino Pérez is currently in the middle of the election process. Pérez is widely expected to retain control of the club, but reports say Mourinho’s appointment will not be formally unveiled until the vote is concluded. It is not yet clear whether the agreement contains a break clause if Pérez is not re-elected.
Mourinho is currently under contract with Benfica, where he still has one year remaining. Reports say Real Madrid missed the May 25 deadline to activate a €3 million release clause, meaning the Spanish club may now have to negotiate a higher compensation package, potentially worth up to €15 million.
The 63-year-old previously managed Real Madrid from 2010 to 2013. During that spell, he won La Liga, the Copa del Rey and the Spanish Super Cup, while building one of the most intense rivalries in modern football against Pep Guardiola’s Barcelona.
His expected return follows a difficult period for Madrid, who are seeking a reset after a disappointing season. Mourinho’s task would be to restore competitiveness, reshape the squad and get more from key players including Jude Bellingham, Vinícius Júnior and Kylian Mbappé.
The move is likely to divide opinion among supporters. Mourinho remains admired by many for his winning mentality and his role in ending Barcelona’s domestic dominance during his first spell. Others remember the tension, dressing-room conflicts and confrontational atmosphere that marked the end of his time in Madrid.
If confirmed, the appointment would represent one of the biggest managerial comebacks in European football. For Mourinho, it would be a chance to revive his elite-level legacy. For Real Madrid, it would signal a return to a coach known for control, intensity and immediate pressure to win.
