Jose Mourinho is Set to Return to Real Madrid, Official Announcement is Only a Matter of Time

Jose Mourinho's return to Real Madrid appears to be only awaiting an official announcement. Following a disappointing trophy-less season, Los Blancos have moved quickly to recruit a figure seen as capable of restoring a winning mentality while restructuring the star-studded dressing room at the Santiago Bernabeu.

ESPN reports that Real Madrid plan to announce Mourinho as their new head coach on either 25 or 26 May, immediately after the conclusion of the current LaLiga season.

Madrid will play their final league match against Athletic Bilbao on Sunday, 24 May 2026 at 02:00 WIB.

The Portuguese head coach is set to sign a two-year contract. Mourinho is also reported to have already said his farewells to his current club Benfica, signalling that his return to the Spanish capital only remains pending administrative formalities.

Should this appointment be officially confirmed, this will mark Mourinho's second spell in charge of Real Madrid, having previously managed the club between 2010 and 2013.

During his first tenure, he delivered three trophies for Los Blancos, including the 2011-2012 LaLiga title which at
 that time ended Barcelona's dominance.
Mourinho's return is not without cause. Madrid are in need of a strong authoritative figure after failing to win a single trophy this season.

Beyond rebuilding the team's on-pitch performances, Mourinho is also expected to manage the dressing room dynamics which have been described as strained by competing egos among the star players.

Even so, the decision to appoint Mourinho has sparked debate both within Real Madrid's internal ranks and among the club's supporters.

While Mourinho's reputation as one of Europe's elite head coaches is undisputed, he has not won a Domestic League Title since lifting the Premier League with Chelsea back in 2015.

Circulating reports note that not all parties at Real Madrid are in agreement over Mourinho's return. However club president Florentino Perez is said to have made the former Inter Milan and Manchester United coach his first choice, and in fact the only candidate that has been approached with serious intent.

Prior to this news gaining traction, Real Madrid's coaching position had been held on an interim basis by Alvaro Arbeloa for the remainder of the season, following Xabi Alonso's departure. Ultimately Madrid opted for Mourinho's experience and force of character to lead the club's new rebuild project.

Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano was among the first sources to break details of these negotiations on Monday 18 May.

"All terms have been verbally agreed between Jose Mourinho and Real Madrid. We are just waiting for all formal documentation to be signed this month," Romano wrote.

"The agreement is planned for an initial two year term. There will be no issues over contract fine print, as Mourinho's sole desire is to return to Real Madrid," Romano added in his update.

However, Mourinho's impending return has faced open opposition from Real Madrid legend Iker Casillas. The former Los Blancos captain has publicly stated he does not support Mourinho returning to manage the club he represented for over a decade.

Relations between Mourinho and Casillas famously soured during the 2012-2013 season, when Mourinho dropped Casillas as first choice Goalkeeper in favour of Diego Lopez. Despite this history, Casillas has stressed he holds no personal grudge against Mourinho.

"I have no problem with Mourinho. I think he is an outstanding professional. I just do not want him at Real Madrid," Casillas stated in a post on X.

According to Casillas, there are multiple other coaches who would be a better fit to lead Real Madrid than Mourinho.

"I believe another coach would be better suited to lead the club that I love. This is just my personal opinion, nothing more," Casillas explained.

Regardless of the divided opinions, Mourinho is now edging ever closer to a Bernabeu return. Real Madrid are hopeful that the Portuguese manager's experience, winning mentality and strong character will prove to be the solution that returns Los Blancos to the summit of Spanish and European football next season.