Jose Mourinho has agreed to a two-year contract to return to Real Madrid. ESPN reports the Portuguese coach has said goodbye to his current club, Benfica.
Previously, Mourinho had emerged as the leading candidate to take over Los Blancos in recent weeks, trying to change the team's fate after two consecutive seasons without winning a major trophy.
Mourinho's new Real Madrid deal is reportedly currently agreed in principle, but has not been signed.
Benfica will receive a compensation of 7 million euros because he has a contract with the Portuguese club until 2027.
Mourinho previously coached Real Madrid between 2010 and 2013, competing fiercely with Pep Guardiola's Barcelona and winning one LaLiga title, one Copa del Rey, and one Supercopa de Espana (Spanish Super Cup).
Mourinho will replace his former player, Alvaro Arbeloa, who took over as interim coach in January 2026 after the dismissal of Xabi Alonso.
Arbeloa's future is uncertain, with some at the club believing that the former Los Blancos reserve team coach should remain in Madrid in some capacity.
Real Madrid are currently 11 points behind defending champions Barcelona in LaLiga, with one game remaining.
They were also knocked out of the Champions League quarter-finals by Bayern Munich, after beating Mourinho's Benfica in the knockout phase playoff.
Meanwhile, Florentino Perez announced that the club's presidential election would be held again, with candidates having until May 23, 2026 to submit nominations.
Because of that, there is some uncertainty regarding when Mourinho will be officially announced as coach.
There have also been reports that efforts to bring back legendary midfielder Toni Kroos, who retired in 2024, to the Bernabeu, although the role he will fill has not been determined.
Mourinho had admitted last weekend that his agent, Jorge Mendes, had contacted Real Madrid amid an offer of a contract extension from Benfica.
"My future will be decided this week," Mourinho said.
Benfica are unbeaten in the Portuguese League this season, but finished third, behind Porto and Sporting, after winning 23 games and drawing 11.
Since leaving Real Madrid in 2013, Mourinho has coached Chelsea, Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur, Roma, Fenerbahce, and Benfica.
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