Jose Mourinho, who coached Real Madrid from 2010 to 2013, is to return to the Spanish La Liga soccer franchise. Photo by Peter Powell/EPA-EFE
May 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.
