Mourinho Set for Shock Return to Real Madrid
Jose Mourinho is on the verge of beginning a second spell as Real Madrid manager after Benfica confirmed the Portuguese coach’s departure, with Los Blancos expected to formally announce his appointment in the coming days.
According to journalist Ramon Alvarez, Mourinho’s official presentation at the Santiago Bernabeu will not take place this week for unspecified reasons. However, Real Madrid could confirm the appointment at any moment after completing the final steps of the agreement.
Benfica Confirm Departure After Brief but Historic Spell
Benfica have formally informed financial regulators that Mourinho has left the club, bringing an end to a remarkable but unusual campaign in Lisbon. Real Madrid have reportedly paid the Portuguese side €15 million to activate the release clause contained in Mourinho’s contract.
The 63-year-old has agreed to a three-year deal running until June 2029 and will replace Alvaro Arbeloa, whose tenure came to an end following a disappointing trophyless season.
Reports indicate Mourinho arrived in Madrid on Monday as preparations continue for his official return to the club where he previously enjoyed one of the most successful periods of his managerial career.
Unbeaten League Season Ends in Unexpected Disappointment
His latest stint at Benfica lasted just one season but produced one of the most extraordinary campaigns in recent Portuguese football history. Mourinho guided Benfica through an unbeaten Primeira Liga season, recording 23 victories and 11 draws across 34 league matches.
Remarkably, despite avoiding defeat throughout the campaign, Benfica finished third behind Porto and Sporting CP after dropping too many points through draws, missing out on Champions League qualification in the process.
Mourinho’s First Spell at Real Madrid: A Golden Era
The move marks a return to a club where Mourinho previously enjoyed considerable success between 2010 and 2013. During his first spell in charge, he oversaw 178 matches, winning 128, drawing 28, and losing only 22, giving him a win percentage of almost 72 percent.
His most memorable achievement came during the historic 2011-12 campaign, when Real Madrid won La Liga with a record-breaking 100 points. That side also set a Spanish top-flight record by scoring 121 goals while registering 32 victories and finishing with a goal difference of +89.
Mourinho’s first spell yielded three major trophies: the 2010-11 Copa del Rey, the 2011-12 La Liga title, and the 2012 Supercopa de Espana.
Mourinho’s Journey to the Top of World Football
The Portuguese coach’s journey to the top of world football remains one of the most fascinating in the sport. After a modest playing career ended in his early twenties, Mourinho pursued coaching and sports science before gaining prominence as Sir Bobby Robson’s translator and assistant at Sporting.
Robson later took Mourinho with him to Porto and Barcelona, where he further developed his tactical reputation while working under both Robson and Louis van Gaal. Those experiences laid the foundations for a managerial career that would eventually bring league titles and European success across multiple countries.