Real Madrid have reportedly finalized their plan to announce the sensational return of José Mourinho to the “Bernabéu” at the beginning of next week.
The Portuguese coach is ready to leave Benfica to take charge of “Los Blancos,” who are looking to rebuild after a disappointing trophyless season.
According to “ESPN,” Real Madrid plan to officially appoint Mourinho as head coach on Sunday or Monday, immediately after the end of the La Liga season.
The Madrid side will host Athletic Club at the “Bernabéu” on Saturday in the final match of the 2025/26 season.
This return would mark a major reunion between the club and the coach who managed Real Madrid from 2010 to 2013.
Mourinho has already begun saying goodbye to Benfica, where he spent the last season.
Although he had previously stated there was a “99 percent chance” he would remain in Lisbon, it appears Real Madrid’s offer proved impossible to resist.
Mourinho is said to have reached a verbal agreement with the club for a two-year contract.
The documents have not yet been signed, but the “Special One” has already spoken publicly about his future following the end of the season in Portugal.
President Florentino Pérez decided to turn back to Mourinho after Real Madrid finished behind Barcelona in La Liga and were eliminated in the Champions League quarterfinals.
“I haven’t heard anything yet from Real Madrid, but none of us are naïve and there have been talks between [my agent] Jorge Mendes, the president, and the club directors,” Mourinho recently stated.
He added: “I will speak personally with Real Madrid next week, and then I will make my decision. So far, there have only been conversations between Real Madrid and Jorge Mendes, not with me.”
Meanwhile, Florentino Pérez announced the presidential elections last week, with potential candidates having until this Saturday, May 23, to enter the race.
Pérez has already confirmed that he will run again, while businessman Enrique Riquelme stated on Monday that he will decide “within two or three days” whether he will join the race.
If Pérez has no opponent, he will automatically be re-elected. If Riquelme decides to run, then an election campaign will take place.
Sources told “ESPN” that Pérez is considering including a clause in Mourinho’s contract that would allow Riquelme — if he wins the election — not to continue with the Portuguese coach and instead choose another candidate.
However, Pérez remains the main figure behind Mourinho’s return, valuing him for increasing the club’s competitiveness and for building the foundations of the success Real Madrid enjoyed for more than a decade.
