Mourinho returns! Real Madrid confirm Jose's re-appointment

Real Madrid have confirmed the re-appointment of Jose Mourinho as first team coach.

It's a dramatic return to the Bernabeu for Mourinho, 13 years after his first stint in charge of Real Madrid ended. During that initial spell in charge, Mourinho spent three years in Madrid, winning LaLiga with a record points total, as well as the Copa del Rey and Supercopa.

The former Chelsea and Manchester United manager, who took Benfica to an unbeaten league campaign last season, has signed a three-year contract with Real, which runs until June 30, 2029.

He will officially join the club on July 13 for the start of pre-season.

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The path was cleared for Mourinho to be named as Real Madrid's new manager by the departure of Alvaro Arbeloa on Tuesday.

Benfica confirmed the departure of Mourinho and appointment of former Fulham boss Marco Silva a few hours later.

A Real Madrid statement on Thursday evening read: "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 first team coach for the next three seasons, until June 30, 2029."

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Mourinho was expecting to start work two weeks ago after Madrid's final LaLiga game of the season against Athletic Bilbao but a presidential election took place, which ended on Sunday with Perez winning. That then left everything in the clear for Mourinho to return.

'A true Madridista' - Perez's Mourinho promise after re-election

Mourinho's return to the Spanish capital has been delayed due to the recent presidential election at the club.

Florentino Perez overcame competition from Enrique Riquelme, and immediately confirmed that Mourinho would be returning to the Bernabeu.

"We have won the elections and will continue working to keep winning titles," Perez said. "I am still here and I am here to defend Real Madrid.

"We will continue working so that Real Madrid keeps winning titles, and we will fight until the end to achieve the 16th European Cup.

"We will continue to take pride in the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, the best stadium in the world.

"We are proud to have the best players in the world, proud to welcome back one of the best coaches in the world, a Madridista like Jose Mourinho. And rest assured, with me as president, Real Madrid has been, is, and will always remain owned by its members."