Real Madrid have confirmed Jose Mourinho has returned as their head coach, 13 years after his first spell in charge.

Mourinho has long been expected to be confirmed as Madrid's new coach, replacing Alvaro Arbeloa, who lasted just six months in the Santiago Bernabeu hot seat.

Arbeloa succeeded Xabi Alonso in January, with Madrid enduring a disappointing season in which they failed to win a major trophy and saw Barcelona clinch the league title in El Clasico last month.

Florentino Perez, who on Thursday was officially confirmed to have retained his presidency, announced earlier this week that the agreement with Mourinho was in place, and the appointment has now been made official.

Mourinho was contracted with Benfica for another year, having led them to third place in the Primeira Liga with an unbeaten season, but he has left early for a Madrid reunion.

Los Blancos have not won a domestic trophy in either of the last two seasons. In 2025-26, they finished as runners-up in LaLiga and were knocked out of the Champions League quarter-finals and the Copa del Rey round of 16.

Mourinho, who has penned a three-year deal with Los Blancos, previously took charge of Madrid between 2010 and 2013, winning 126 of his 174 games at the helm (D27 L21).

His 72.4% win percentage with Los Blancos is the highest of any team he has managed.

He also won one LaLiga title (2011-12), one Copa del Rey (2010-11) and one Supercopa de Espana (2012) during his previous spell.

Madrid have won just four league titles in the 13 years since Mourinho's departure.

Perez has pledged to spend big in order to aid Mourinho's push to get Madrid back to the top.

Denzel Dumfries and Ibrahima Konate are set to join, while Madrid saw a €150m offer for Julian Alvarez knocked back by their rivals Atletico Madrid earlier this week.