Report: Real Madrid bringing back Jose Mourinho

Jose Mourinho agreed to a two-year deal to return as head coach at Real Madrid, ESPN reported Monday.

Mourinho, 63, has informed Portugal's Benfica, his current club, that he is leaving, per the report.

He replaces Alvaro Arbeloa, who took over in January as the interim coach after the club fired Xabi Alonso.

Real Madrid endured a second straight season without a major trophy this year, losing to Bayern Munich in the UEFA Champions League quarterfinal. With one La Liga match remaining, Real Madrid are 11 points behind the champions, rival Barcelona.

Mourinho managed Real Madrid from 2010-13, winning one La Liga title, one Copa del Rey and one Supercopa de Espana during that stretch.

Mourinho was under contract through 2027 at Benfica, which will receive $8 million in compensation, per ESPN.

--Field Level Media

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This story was originally published May 18, 2026 at 10:04 AM.