Jose Mourinho back as Real Madrid boss as president Florentino Perez re-elected

By Jim van Wijk, Press Association

Jose Mourinho has been confirmed as Real Madrid’s new manager after 13 years away following the re-election of president Florentino Perez.

Perez confirmed the Portuguese’s expected return in his speech after seeing off the challenge of Enrique Riquelme, having made no secret of his intention to name Mourinho as head coach should he seal an eighth term in the role.

Former Benfica boss Mourinho has signed a three-year deal and will officially begin his new job for the start of pre-season on July 13 – set to return for a second spell at the Spanish giants having previously been in charge from 2010 to 2013.

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A club statement read: “The board of directors of Real Madrid, meeting today, Thursday, June 11, and presided over by Florentino Perez, has agreed to appoint Jose Mourinho as the first team’s head coach for the next three seasons, until June 30, 2029.

“Jose Mourinho will join Real Madrid on July 13, the day pre-season begins.”

Perez’s continuation as president until 2030 was confirmed in a proclamation ceremony at the board meeting, with his landslide victory having paved the way for Mourinho’s return to the Bernabeu.

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Real announced on Tuesday they had parted company with head coach Alvaro Arbeloa, who took over first-team duties when Xabi Alonso was sacked in January, just six months into his reign.

Mourinho, 63, won both LaLiga and the Copa del Rey during his first spell at the Bernabeu – but has not claimed a domestic league title since leading Chelsea to the Premier League crown in 2014-15, having also had spells back in England with Manchester United and Tottenham.

Under Mourinho – who took charge at Roma and then Fenerbahce before returning to Portugal in September 2025 – Benfica were unbeaten in the Primeira Liga last season but finished third, eight points adrift of Porto, after drawing 11 of their 34 games.