Jose Mourinho Set for Real Madrid Return as Club Eyes Familiar Face for Head Coach Role
Jose Mourinho is in final negotiations to return as Real Madrid head coach, 13 years after his previous spell with the club. The Portuguese manager would replace Alvaro Arbelauw, who took over just four months ago.
BBC reports that Jose Mourinho is in final negotiations to become Real Madrid's new head coach, returning to the role he held 13 years ago. Mourinho is the clear frontrunner and currently the only candidate the club is negotiating with for the position. He would replace current head coach Alvaro Arbelauw, who only took the job this past January following Xabi Alonso's departure. Real Madrid president Florentino Perez began considering the possibility of Mourinho's return just two days after Alonso left the club, initiating preliminary talks with the Portuguese coach's representatives. Currently, Mourinho serves as manager of Benfica, having signed a two-year contract in September 2025. When interviewed yesterday (May 11), he declined to discuss his future, stating: "I have a match against Estoril, and from Monday onwards, I'll be able to answer questions about my future as a coach and Benfica's future." Mourinho previously managed Real Madrid from 2010 to 2013, winning La Liga, Copa del Rey, and the Spanish Super Cup.
