Faltering Real Madrid looks to ex-manager José Mourinho to revive fortunes

Faltering Real Madrid looks to ex-manager José Mourinho to revive fortunes
José Mourinho watches a match between Estoril and Benfica at the Estadio Antonio Coimbra da Mota, Estoril, Portugal, 16 May, 2026.
Reuters

Spanish football club Real Madrid has appointed José Mourinho as its new manager. The 63-year-old nicknamed “the special one” returns to the helm of Spain’s most successful football club, more than a decade since his last stint as the team's manager.   

Mourinho has been appointed on a three-year contract, according to Real Madrid. 

"José Mourinho will join Real Madrid on July 13, the day preseason begins," Real said in a statement.

The Portugese tactician led Real Madrid to three trophies wins during his three year tenure managing the club from 2010 to 2013.

He left after a breakdown in relationships with key players and a mediocre performance during the 2012-13 season, where Real Madrid finished second in La Liga, far behind rivals FC Barcelona.

Real Madrid has had a disappointing last 12 months, finishing behind FC Barcelona in the La Liga, being eliminated from the Champions League in the quater-finals and cycling through managers. 

Xabi Alonso, who took over from Carlo Ancelotti in 2025, lasted less than eight months at the helm, leaving in January.

Former defender Álvaro Arbeloa who replaced him stepped down at the end of the season in June.

"The Board of Directors of Real Madrid C.F., meeting today, Thursday, 11 June, and presided over by Florentino Pérez, has agreed to appoint José Mourinho as the first team's head coach for the next three seasons, until 30 June, 2029," Real Madrid said in a statement.

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