Story perspectives

Real Madrid Appoints Mourinho as Coach on Three-Year Deal

5/29/2026

Summary

Mourinho Hired

Real Madrid have hired Jose Mourinho as head coach on a three-year deal.
The appointment will be unveiled after the 7 June presidential election, a move backed by President Florentino Perez but opposed by challenger Enrique Riquelme.
Mourinho departs Benfica after an unbeaten 2025-26 league run that still left the team third and out of the Champions League, as Real Madrid have endured trophy-less seasons for the first time since 2008-09.

Summary

Riquelme Announces

Enrique Riquelme announced he secured a coaching contract with a manager employed by another club.
In a campaign video, Riquelme name-checked Jürgen Klopp as a possible Real Madrid head coach.
Riquelme also claimed two first-team signings are finalized before the June 7 presidential vote.
Florentino Pérez told RTVE he is weighing two candidates and has not spoken with Mourinho.
The club’s 100,000 members will vote on June 7.

Summary

Mourinho Joins Real

Real Madrid will pay a €7 million release-clause fee to Benfica for José Mourinho, Benfica manager’s departure.
Football agent Jorge Mendes acted as intermediary, accelerating negotiations between Benfica and Real Madrid.
Benfica reduced its original demands, enabling a swift €7 million settlement.
Mourinho says the deal is final and expects the official announcement after the June 7 presidential election, while targeting central defence, full-backs and midfield reinforcements.

History

Historical Context

In May 2010 Real Madrid hired José Mourinho, appointing him as coach and sporting director after a period of under-performance under Florentino Pérez’s Galácticos spending, including Cristiano Ronaldo’s £80 million arrival in 2009. Mourinho then guided the club to a record-breaking 100-point La Liga title in 2011-12, a template the 2026-27 pursuit seeks to repeat.

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Mourinho Hired

Real Madrid have hired Jose Mourinho as head coach on a three-year deal.
The appointment will be unveiled after the 7 June presidential election, a move backed by President Florentino Perez but opposed by challenger Enrique Riquelme.
Mourinho departs Benfica after an unbeaten 2025-26 league run that still left the team third and out of the Champions League, as Real Madrid have endured trophy-less seasons for the first time since 2008-09.

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