Mourinho to Real Madrid Confirmed After Elections: 3-Year Contract Signed

Mourinho returns to rescue Madrid

Real Madrid turn to Jose Mourinho after Champions League exit to Bayern and 8-point LaLiga loss to Barcelona. The former boss returns for a second spell with a €12m/year deal.

‘The Special One’ back, Mourinho takes over Madrid after Bayern, Barca disappointments. Jose Mourinho returns to Real Madrid with 3-year deal through 2029...

 

It’s a done deal: Jose Mourinho is heading back to Real Madrid as head coach. Per The Athletic, the 63-year-old has signed a three-year contract with the club through 2029. He’ll be officially presented once the upcoming presidential elections wrap up.

Mourinho replaces interim boss Álvaro Arbeloa, who stepped in after Xabi Alonso left in January. Arbeloa couldn’t turn things around, and Madrid ended the season without a trophy.

In Europe, 15-time Champions League winners Madrid crashed out in the quarter-finals to Bayern Munich. At home it was worse: they lost LaLiga to rivals Barcelona, who finished 8 points clear at the top.

Mourinho’s last job was at Benfica, after getting sacked by Turkish side Fenerbahçe. His Lisbon deal ran through summer 2027, but a €3m release clause made the switch to the Bernabéu simple.

On Friday, The Athletic’s transfer expert David Ornstein reported the deal was done. Mourinho has put pen to paper on a three-year contract, with reports saying he’ll earn €12m per season.

Mourinho Returns to the Bernabeu

Mourinho is back at Real Madrid for a second stint. He previously managed Los Blancos from 2010 to 2013 and delivered silverware during that spell.

The Portuguese coach takes over a struggling side. Real Madrid have been underperforming this season, and he’ll be tasked with turning their form around quickly.

The drama at Madrid didn’t stop after Alonso was sacked. A petition demanding Mbappé leave the club has now racked up several million signatures. Things got physical too in early May when Federico Valverde and Aurélien Tchouaméni clashed in training, leaving the Uruguayan needing emergency treatment after being hit by his teammate.

🚨 Jose Mourinho has signed contract to become Real Madrid head coach. 63yo leaving Benfica for 2nd spell in charge of #RMFC after putting pen to paper last week on 3yr deal. Set to be announced post presidential election. W/ @MarioCortegana @TheAthleticFC https://t.co/jK6Q5cF7eU

— David Ornstein (@David_Ornstein) May 29, 2026

President Florentino Perez is also under fire. The 79-year-old shut down talk of stepping aside and confirmed he’ll run for a seventh term on June 7.

Mourinho’s appointment as head coach is expected to be made official once the election is done.