February 18, 2026, Lisbon, Portugal: Jose Mourinho, SL Benfica Coach, in action during UEFA Champions League 2025/26 KO play-offs 1st leg between SL Benfica and Real Madrid CF at Estadio da Luz..Final score: SL Benfica 0:1 Real Madrid CF Final score: SL Benfica 0:1 Real Madrid CF SL Benfica Vs Real Madrid CF In Lisbon, Portugal - 17 Feb 2026 PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY - ZUMAs197 20260218_aaa_s197_356 Copyright: xBrunoxdexCarvalhox
Jose Mourinho has agreed a three-year contract to take over as head coach of Real Madrid CF, completing a high-profile return to the Santiago Bernabéu more than ten years after his initial tenure.
According to BBC Sport, the deal has been finalised but the official unveiling will take place after the club’s presidential election scheduled for 7 June.
The 63-year-old departs SL Benfica, where he was appointed in September and led the team to a third-place finish in the Primeira Liga this season.
Mourinho previously managed Real Madrid between 2010 and 2013, during which he won La Liga, the Copa del Rey and the Spanish Super Cup.
He succeeds Alvaro Arbeloa, who took charge in January after the exit of Xabi Alonso but was unable to reverse the club’s poor run of form.
Real Madrid ended the 2025–26 campaign without a trophy, as rivals FC Barcelona secured the La Liga title following a 2–0 El Clásico win. The club also exited the Champions League after a 6–4 aggregate defeat to FC Bayern Munich in the quarter-finals.
Mourinho returns with extensive experience after managing several of Europe’s top clubs since leaving Madrid in 2013.
