Jose Mourinho agrees to 2-year deal to coach Real Madrid
by Alex Butler · UPIMay 18 (UPI) -- Jose Mourinho agreed to a two-year contract with Real Madrid, sealing the coach's return for a second stint with the Spanish La Liga soccer franchise.
Sources told ESPN, Sky Sports and reporter Fabrizio Romano about the agreement on Monday. Mourinho signed a two-year contract with Benfica in September. He led the Portuguese Primeira Liga team to an unbeaten 23-0-11 record and third-place finish in 2025-26.
Madrid is expected to pay Benfica $8 million to buy out Mourinho's contract. Mourinho led Madrid to La Liga, Copa del Rey and Spanish Cup titles during his previous tenure, which spanned from 2010 to 2013.
He will replace Alvaro Arbeloa, who took over in January when Madrid fired former coach Xabi Alonso.
Mourinho, who also coached at Chelsea, Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur and other notable clubs, is one of the most decorated managers in history. His trophy case includes three titles from England's Premier League, two from Italy's Serie A and two from Portugal's Primeira Liga, in addition to his 2011-12 La Liga crown. Mourinho won Champions League titles with Inter Milan (2009-10) and FC Porto (2003-04).
He also has trophies from the UEFA Cup, Europa League, Conference League, FA Cup, English Super Cup, Spanish Cup, Spanish Super Cup, Italian Cup, Italian Super Cup, Portuguese Cup and Portuguese Super Cup.
Madrid (26-6-5) will finish second this season in La Liga, behind rival Barcelona (31-5-1). Los Blancos will host 12th-place Athletic Club (13-18-6) in their 2025-26 league finale at 3 p.m. EDT Saturday in Madrid.
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