Jose Mourinho announced as Real Madrid’s next manager: ‘He’s the Chosen One’

18 May 2026 09:40 BST | 5 min read

Jose Mourinho, Real Madrid, 2025/26 — © IMAGO

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Jose Mourinho will become the next manager of Real Madrid and he will be the man charged with picking the Bernabeu side up off its knees after a turbulent campaign.

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Mourinho will take over from Alvaro Arbeloa at the end of the season, with his return to the Spanish capital now “just a matter of time”, according to Marca.

The Madrid-based source, which has hailed the 63-year-old as ‘the Chosen One’, states that the Portuguese is now the only contender for the post, with president Florentino Perez of the belief that he is the only one capable of restoring order to a fractured dressing room.

Similarly, Fabrizio Romano has now confirmed that a deal has been fully agreed.

"BREAKING: José Mourinho back to Real Madrid, HERE WE GO!," the transfer expert posted on X on Monday.

"All terms have been verbally agreed between Jose Mourinho and Real Madrid, waiting to sign all documents.

"Plan for initial two year deal, JM to travel to Madrid after Real-Bilbao game. The Special One is back."

© IMAGO - Jose Mourinho: Returning to Real Madrid

Mourinho to Real Madrid: What comes next?

Before Mourinho is officially unveiled as the next Real Madrid manager, there are still some details that need to be completed. For example, Los Blancos will have to trigger the coach’s release fee in his Benfica contract, which is worth €3 million.

These hurdles are, however, expected to be relatively minor in the grand scheme of things.

Both Real Madrid and Mourinho are eager to resolve the situation rapidly. This will be key for the summer transfer window and the inevitable rebuild of the squad.

Mourinho arrives having demanded a big say in the club’s transfer policy. Juventus winger Kenan Yildiz is one of the players he is thought to be chasing, according to reports from Italy.

Before he adds to the squad, though, sales are likely. Dani Ceballos and Gonzalo Garcia are two players who look likely to depart.

© IMAGO - Kenan Yildiz: A transfer target for Mourinho

Mourinho’s biggest challenge

Mourinho has continued to deny any negotiations with Real Madrid had taken place, insisting his focus remains on Benfica, who still have one match to play in their season.

The reality, however, appears to be very different, with the Portuguese speeding towards a return to the Bernabeu, where he previously won the 2011/12 La Liga title.

Since his previous stint from 2010-13, Mourinho has coached Chelsea, Manchester United, Tottenham, Roma, Fenerbahce and now Benfica, yet his star has fallen in recent years and Perez’s decision to welcome him back to Real Madrid is widely seen as a sign of desperation in reaction to the current crisis.

The president, though, is bullish. "He was here before and he raised our level," he claimed on Wednesday.

Mourinho has built his career on proving his critics wrong and silencing his doubts, yet this last dance at the Bernabeu may just be his biggest challenge yet.

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