Real Madrid confirmed the big return of José Mourinho to the team’s bench, with the Portuguese coach once again taking over the reins of the “merengues” after 13 years.

His return is directly linked to the re-election of Florentino Perez as president of the club and marks the beginning of a new era at the “Santiago Bernabeu”.

The 63-year-old coach left Benfica, with Real paying a €15m release clause to bring him back to Madrid. The two sides are expected to work together for the next three years, with the aim of returning the team to the top of Spain and Europe.

Mourinho first sat on the Real Madrid bench from 2010 to 2013, winning a Spanish league, a Cup and a Super Cup. Despite the intense controversies and much-discussed moments of that era, he is considered by many to be the man who laid the foundations for the club’s subsequent European successes.

The Portuguese coach has already started planning for the new season. According to Spanish reports, his priorities include strengthening the defense, acquiring a left-back and central midfielders, while he has an active role in shaping the roster and summer preparations.

Mourinho’s return is one of the biggest news stories in European football for 2026 and is expected to draw the attention of the entire football world to Madrid.