Real Madrid has officially announced Jose Mourinho as its new head coach through a communicado released on Thursday evening in Spain.
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Real Madrid has officially announced Jose Mourinho as its new head coach through a communicado released on Thursday evening in Spain.
“The Board of Directors of Real Madrid CF, meeting today, Thursday, June 11 and chaired by Florentino Perez, has agreed to appoint Jose Mourinho as coach of the first team for the next three seasons, until June 30, 2029,” a statement began on the matter.
“Jose Mourinho will join Real Madrid on July 13, the day that the preseason will begin.” the statement then added.
Mourinho’s appointment by Real Madrid is no surprise
Mourinho had been expected to become Madrid’s manager for a second time after Florentino Perez won re-election on Sunday.
Perez had promised Mourinho as part of three new signings if members voted him in again. The other two incoming arrivals are strongly suspected to be defenders Ibrahima Konate and Denzel Dumfries.
While Konate should join on a free transfer from Liverpool, Madrid needs to activate Dumfries’ $22 million (€20 million) release clause at Inter Milan.
Another fresh face could be on its way, though, with Bernardo Silva reported as being “very close” to joining Los Blancos by MARCA after Fabrizio Romano revealed that Madrid had made him an offer.
Silva’s Manchester City contract expires on June 30, as does Konate’s at Liverpool.
Silva is said to be Mourinho’s “preferred appointment” after he was allegedly left “very upset” by a $175 million (€150 million) surprise bid for Julian Alvarez which Perez also teased.
Originally manning the Bernabeu dugout from 2010 to 2013, Mourinho has a similar mission on his hands time round.
Back then, he was charged with ending FC Barcelona dominance led by Pep Guardiola and Lionel Messi, which he partly-achieved by winning La Liga in 2012 via a record 100-point season.
This time round, it is Hansi Flick and Lamine Yamal that run Spain, with the German clinching five out of six trophies on offer domestically across the last two seasons.
Real Madrid have finished those trophyless. In addition to bringing silverware back to the Spanish capital, however, Mourinho has to install harmony in a troubled changing room and also get the best out of star players such as Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Jr.