José Mourinho has reached an agreement to return to Real Madrid on a two-year contract, sources have confirmed to ESPN. The Portuguese manager, who previously led the Spanish giants from 2010 to 2013, is set for a dramatic reunion with the club where he secured a historic La Liga title and broke Barcelona's dominance in domestic football.
According to the report from ESPN Brazil, the deal is in place and Mourinho will take over the helm once again, though the official announcement is yet to be made by either party. The 61-year-old tactician has been without a managerial role since leaving AS Roma in early 2024, and this move marks his swift return to top-tier management.
During his first stint at the Bernabéu, Mourinho guided Real Madrid to the 2011-12 La Liga championship in record-breaking fashion, amassing 100 points and scoring 121 goals. He also delivered the 2011 Copa del Rey, defeating arch rivals Barcelona in the final, and led the team to three consecutive UEFA Champions League semi-finals, ending a long drought of last-four appearances for the club.
His departure in 2013 came after a turbulent final season, but his impact on Real Madrid's winning mentality was undeniable. Since then, Mourinho has managed Chelsea, Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur, and Roma, collecting further silverware including the Premier League, Europa League, and Europa Conference League titles.
The decision to bring back Mourinho signals Real Madrid's ambition to combine experience with a new project cycle. With a two-year contract on the table, he will be tasked with challenging for both domestic and European honors immediately. The move has already sparked significant reactions among supporters and pundits, many of whom recall his intense yet successful tenure a decade ago.
Neither Real Madrid nor Mourinho's representatives have publicly commented on the agreement, but the ESPN sources indicate that the deal is all but finalized. Further details, including his backroom staff and transfer targets, are expected to emerge once the official unveiling takes place.
Mourinho's return adds another chapter to his storied career, reuniting him with a fan base that once revered him as the "Special One." All eyes will now be on the Bernabéu for the formal announcement and the beginning of Mourinho's second era in the Spanish capital.
Based on reporting from ESPN.
