Key Takeaways:
- Jose Mourinho has reached a verbal agreement to become Real Madrid manager from this summer
- Mourinho is set to arrive after next weekend’s final fixture against Athletic Club, signing an initial two-year contract
- Real Madrid, having failed to claim silverware since the 2024 Champions League, are looking to the Portuguese to restore stability
Managerial Shake-Up at the Bernabeu
Real Madrid are preparing for their second managerial change in as many summers, confirming that Alvaro Arbeloa will not continue at the helm after replacing Xabi Alonso in January. The La Liga giants have opted to bring back a familiar presence, turning once more to Jose Mourinho to guide them forward.
🚨 BREAKING: José Mourinho back to Real Madrid, HERE WE GO! 💣🤍
All terms have been verbally agreed between José 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. pic.twitter.com/K267WgiqjC
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) May 18, 2026
The Road to Mourinho’s Return
In recent weeks, speculation intensified regarding Mourinho’s potential return to the Santiago Bernabeu. Last month, president Florentino Perez established Mourinho as his top choice to succeed Arbeloa. More recently, formal discussions commenced between the club and Mourinho regarding the Portuguese manager’s anticipated comeback thirteen years after his initial tenure.
According to Fabrizio Romano, a verbal agreement is now in place, paving the way for Mourinho to rejoin Real Madrid this summer. The deal is set to be finalised after next weekend’s season-closer against Athletic Club, at which point Mourinho will enter Madrid to sign his new initial two-year contract.
Challenges Awaiting Mourinho
Real Madrid’s form has deteriorated since the outset of the 2024-25 season, with the club yet to secure a major trophy since lifting the Champions League in 2024. Currently, a succession of three managers – Carlo Ancelotti, Xabi Alonso, and Alvaro Arbeloa – have failed to revitalise the squad or deliver the desired impact.
Internal discord has reportedly escalated, reaching a climax recently when Aurelien Tchouameni and Fede Valverde engaged in an altercation. Despite these tensions, the club hierarchy remains confident that Mourinho, renowned for his ability to unify squads, is the individual best suited to restore cohesion within the team. Whether he can achieve this remains uncertain.
