Real Madrid set to confirm Jose Mourinho return: report

Real Madrid are ready to announce the appointment of Jose Mourinho on Wednesday, after his previous club, Benfica, confirmed his departure.

In the build-up to Sunday's vote, Real’s president Florentino Perez promised to rehire Mourinho, who left the Bernabeu in 2013.

According to ESPN’s report, Mourinho's agent, Jorge Mendes, and Real's director general, Jose Angel Sanchez and chief scout Juni Calafat were all spotted at a hotel during a meeting in the centre of the city on Tuesday evening.

"Benfica has informed the CMVM [Portuguese financial regulator] that Real Madrid has formally expressed its intention to hire José Mourinho for the amount of 15 million euros, with the coach having given his agreement," Benfica said in a statement on Tuesday.

Real Madrid also confirmed the exit of their former manager, Alvaro Arbeloa, on Tuesday, who replaced Xabi Alonso in January.

Mourinho was an important part of Perez’s election campaign, along with the signings of Ibrahima Konate and Denzel Dumfries.

Perez had also said to go after an unnamed player to be revealed on Tuesday, and spend 150 million euros on him, a fee that would represent a club record.

And on June 9, the Spanish giants made public their 150 million euros ($173.25 million) bid for Atletico Madrid forward Julian Alvarez, which was rejected, the club said.

It was reported by international media at the end of May that Jose Mourinho had agreed a three-year deal with Madrid to become their new manager.

Mourinho, 63, led Benfica to an unbeaten season in the Portuguese Primeira Liga this season; however, his team have missed out on the league title.

He has left his role as Benfica manager after joining the club in September 2025, where he led them to third position in the Portuguese league this season.

Mourinho won a LaLiga title, Copa del Rey and the Supercopa de Espana during his previous three-year spell at Real.