Real Madrid confirms José Mourinho as head coach on three-year contract

The decision to turn to Mourinho comes after a turbulent spell for Real Madrid, which began the season with Xabi Alonso. Alonso, a long-time midfield star, departed after about half a year following reported disagreements with star players including Vinícius Junior. The record Champions League winner was eliminated in the quarterfinals, and a league defeat to Barcelona underlined the team's struggles.

A turbulent season in Madrid

Real Madrid president Florentino Pérez is described as a great supporter of Mourinho and has long been associated with the Portuguese coach's appointment. Mourinho had an exit clause in his Benfica contract that allowed the move to go through, and Benfica later announced the agreement publicly on X ahead of the club's official confirmation.

Mourinho's tenure in Lisbon ended without silverware, as he missed winning the league title with Benfica in the past season. He now faces the task of restoring Real Madrid's domestic dominance and challenging again in Europe. The new contract runs for three years, signaling a long-term commitment from both sides.

The first training session at Real Madrid is scheduled for July 13, when Mourinho will begin pre-season preparations with his new squad. Pre-season will offer the Portuguese coach his first opportunity to assess a squad that has gone through significant disruption, including the mid-season coaching change and the reported tensions with key players.

What comes next

Mourinho's history with the club includes a record of delivering immediate silverware. His previous Real Madrid side broke Barcelona's domestic grip with the 2012 league title, and his arrival is likely to be read in Madrid as an attempt to repeat that feat.

For Benfica, the reported 15 million euro compensation represents a substantial windfall for a coach who joined only the previous season. The Lisbon club acknowledged the transfer on Tuesday evening, and the move was widely covered in Spanish and Portuguese media before Real Madrid's formal statement.

The news was broadcast on Deutschlandfunk on 12 June 2026, confirming the date of the official announcement. Mourinho will be formally presented in due course, with the pre-season schedule providing a clear starting point for his second chapter at the Santiago Bernabéu.