Jose Mourinho has signed a three-year deal to become Real Madrid’s head coach for the second time, eduhintzus reports. Mourinho will replace Alvaro Arbeloa, who only took charge in January following Xabi Alonso’s departure as boss.
The Portuguese tactician will be unveiled after the club’s presidential election, which is due to take place on June 7. However, his appointment reportedly becomes officially if current president Florentino Perez remains in his role. Perez announced the election during a dramatic press conference, where he criticised journalists and La Liga, and alleged an “organised campaign” against him.
The 79-year-old has been in office since 2009 after previously serving in the role between 2000 and 2006. Under his leadership, Real Madrid has endured two successive trophyless seasons. Renewables tycoon Enrique Riquelme is Perez’s biggest challenger in the first presidential election in 20 years featuring one. However, Perez is expected to win.
Mourinho will leave his managerial role Benfica despite a year left on his contract with the club. He joined the Portuguese side in September and led them to third place in the Primeira Liga this season. Mourinho coached Real Madrid between 2010 and 2013, where he won La Liga, the Copa del Rey and the Spanish Super Cup.
He is expected to take over from Arbeola and restore stability to the club’s chaotic dressing room where there have been reports of violence within the team. Real finished second behind La Liga winners Barcelona, after losing 2-0 at the El Clasico. Los Blancos were also knocked out in the Champions League quarter-finals after a 6-4 aggregate defeat to Bayern Munich.
Meanwhile, Mourinho returns to Barnebeu with a track of successes following his previous spell at the club. In his second spell at Chelsea, he won his third Premier League title and added the EFL Cup during the 2013/14 season. He also joined Manchester United where he won the Europa League, EFL Cup and Community Shield during his first season at Old Trafford.
After an unsuccessful spell at Tottenham Hotspur, Mourihno returned to Italy and led Roma to the Europa Conference League title in 2022. He also managed Turkish side Fenerbahce, before taking charge at Benfica.
