In a bombshell development that will rock European football, José Mourinho is on the verge of completing a stunning return to Real Madrid, nearly 13 years after his explosive departure from the Santiago Bernabéu.
Multiple sources, including the Spanish heavyweight Marca, confirm that the deal is finalized. Reports out of Portugal suggest the contract was signed on Thursday, with an official announcement expected as early as next week . According to Diario AS, the agreement in principle is for a contract that will run until June 2028 .
The 63-year-old Portuguese tactician will leave Portuguese giants Benfica—where he has been serving as head coach—to replace the outgoing Álvaro Arbeloa. The move, described by insiders as “99.9% certain,” represents a massive gamble by President Florentino Pérez, who is turning to a familiar iron fist to restore order to a fractured dressing room .
Full Control Promised
Sources indicate that Mourinho has secured significant influence over the club’s sporting direction as part of the deal. The manager is set to have full input on the club’s transfer business, signaling a long and busy summer of upheaval in the Spanish capital .
The ‘Mourinho 3.0’ Transfer Wishlist
Martinelli, Rodri, and a Spanish Gem
Reports suggest that Mourinho is wasting no time in reshaping the squad. He has reportedly submitted a “bold list” of signings to President Florentino Pérez.
According to TeamTalk and OSEN, the list is headlined by Arsenal’s Gabriel Martinelli and Manchester City’s Ballon d’Or winner Rodri . Mourinho views Martinelli as the explosive talent needed to challenge Vinícius Jr. on the flank, while Rodri is seen as the ultimate solution to the midfield anchor problem that has plagued Madrid this season .
Furthermore, OneFootball reports that Madrid is preparing a €60 million bid for Real Sociedad’s Spanish U21 international Jon Martín, a “modern centre-half” viewed as a defensive leader for the next decade .
The Mbappé Factor & Squad Reboot
The urgency of Mourinho’s appointment cannot be overstated. Diario AS reports that Mourinho is “fully aware of the developments inside Valdebebas,” including the growing concerns over Kylian Mbappé’s attitude and recent dressing-room tensions involving Federico Valverde and Aurelien Tchouameni .
Pérez is banking on Mourinho’s renowned “authority and personality” to act as a shock absorber for a squad that has gone two seasons without a major trophy. “I didn’t think anyone would ask me about him,” Perez recently teased when asked about Mourinho, though he admitted the Portuguese “raised our level” during his first tenure .
The Arbeloa Blessing
In a classy gesture, current incumbent Álvaro Arbeloa—who played under Mourinho during his first spell—gave his public blessing to the changing of the guard.
“If he (Mourinho) is the one who is here next season, I will be happy to see him back home. For me as a player, and above all as a Madrid supporter, I feel and think that he is the number one,” Arbeloa told reporters on Saturday .
The Final Hurdles
While the verbal agreement is in place, there are minor logistical hurdles to clear. Madrid plays its final game of the season on May 23 against Athletic Bilbao .
Furthermore, to extract Mourinho from Benfica, Real Madrid is expected to pay a €3 million release clause (net). Correio da Manhã reports that Benfica is already lining up Fulham boss Marco Silva as his replacement .
Prepare for a long, busy summer in Madrid—the ‘Special One’ is coming home to fix the chaos.
