Jose Mourinho is set to return to Real Madrid after Florentino Perez secured another term as the club’s president, paving the way for the Portuguese coach’s appointment to be officially confirmed.
Perez, 79, was re-elected until 2030 after winning 65% of the vote in the first contested presidential election at the club in two decades. Mourinho had already agreed a three-year contract last month, but the deal was dependent on Perez remaining in office.
Following the result, Perez vowed to continue pursuing success on and off the pitch, highlighting the club’s ambition to add a 16th European Cup to its record haul. He also praised the Santiago Bernabeu and welcomed Mourinho back to the club, describing him as one of the world’s top coaches and a true Madridista.
Real Madrid remains entirely member-owned, with supporters electing the club president. This year’s election featured renewable energy entrepreneur Enrique Riquelme as Perez’s challenger. While the outcome was widely expected, it marked the first presidential contest at the club since 2006.
Perez received 21,741 votes, accounting for 65% of the total, while Riquelme collected 11,814 votes, or 35%. Perez also revealed during the campaign that he intends to pursue a club-record transfer for an unnamed star player if re-elected.
Mourinho arrives after a brief spell at Benfica, where he took charge in September and guided the Portuguese side to a third-place finish in the Primeira Liga.
The 63-year-old is no stranger to Madrid supporters. During his first stint at the club from 2010 to 2013, he won La Liga, the Copa del Rey and the Spanish Super Cup.
He will take over from Alvaro Arbeloa, who stepped into the role in January following Xabi Alonso’s departure.
Real Madrid finished the 2025-26 season without a trophy, while rivals Barcelona secured the La Liga title after defeating Real 2-0 in El Clasico, increasing pressure on the club to bounce back quickly under Mourinho’s leadership.