Mourinho returns as Real Madrid coach

Real Madrid has confirmed the appointment of José Mourinho for a second stage as coach of the club after confirming the departure of Álvaro Arbeloa.

Madrid revealed the return in a statement on its website on Thursday.

“The Board of Directors of Real Madrid CF, meeting today, Thursday, June 11, and chaired by Florentino Pérez, has agreed to appoint José Mourinho as coach of the first team for the next three seasons, until June 30, 2029.

“José Mourinho will arrive at Real Madrid on July 13, the day the preseason begins.”

Mourinho, 63, returns to the Spanish club after a season at the helm of Benfica, which had confirmed on Wednesday that Madrid was willing to pay compensation of 15 million euros to release him from his contract in Portugal, ESPN reports.

Madrid president Florentino Pérez had made bringing back Mourinho, who left the club in 2013, one of his re-election promises before his victory in the club’s membership vote last weekend.

Pérez also promised the signings of Ibrahima Konaté and Denzel Dumfries, in addition to promising an offer of 150 million euros for a ‘Galáctico’ signing.

To fulfill that promise, Madrid announced earlier this week that it had offered €150 million for Atlético Madrid striker Julián Álvarez, which was subsequently rejected.

Mourinho returns to Madrid with the task of getting the team back on track after consecutive trophyless seasons, first under Carlo Ancelotti and then under Xabi Alonso and Arbeloa.

Read also: I will be delighted if Mourinho replaces me –Arbeloa

The Portuguese coach last led Madrid between 2010 and 2013, winning a LaLiga title, a Copa del Rey and a Spanish Super Cup. He also reached three Champions League semi-finals.

Since his last stay at the Bernabéu he has coached Chelsea, Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur, Roma, Fenerbahçe and Benfica.

It has been four years since he last won a trophy (the UEFA Europa Conference League with Roma) and more than a decade since his last league title, the Premier League with Chelsea in 2015.

At Benfica, he was unbeaten in the Portuguese league last season, although that only amounted to third place behind Porto and Sporting.

Mourinho’s Benfica was also eliminated by Madrid in the Champions League round of 16.