Mourinho Returns to Real Madrid as Perez Gambles on ‘The Special One’ to End Trophy Drought

Thirteen years after his first stint ended acrimoniously, the Portuguese coach has been handed a contract until 2029 with a remit to stop Barcelona and restore order to a fractured dressing room.

After two seasons without major silverware and one of the most chaotic campaigns in their history, Real Madrid president Florentino Perez has activated the nuclear option: Jose Mourinho is back.

The 63-year-old Portuguese coach, whose Benfica side finished unbeaten in the Portuguese top flight this season, has signed a contract until 2029 after Madrid triggered his €15 million release clause. His return follows a turbulent campaign that saw Madrid fail both domestically and in Europe, sparking tensions among players and supporters. There was a dressing room bust-up that sent Federico Valverde to hospital, while fans protested against Perez and superstar striker Kylian Mbappe.

Thirteen years after Mourinho left, the combative veteran returns with a similar remit to when he was appointed in 2010: stop Barcelona, at any cost. Then, it was Pep Guardiola’s all-conquering side he had to battle. Now, it is Hansi Flick’s great entertainers. Real believe Mourinho can once again turn a talented but fragile team into an uncompromising side of winners.

Perez never lost respect for Mourinho after his first spell, one which the Madrid chief believes laid the foundations for Real’s future European success. Mourinho could not lead them to their much-craved 10th Champions League title himself, but his successor Carlo Ancelotti did in 2014. Five more arrived in the decade that followed for the record 15-time winners. “He raised our competitive level… and from there we won six Champions Leagues in 10 years,” Perez said in May.

According to a report by Accra Street Journal, the stage is set for Mourinho’s return, with Perez hoping the Portuguese can bring the dressing room back under control. Mourinho has shown he can manage superstars and their egos, including Cristiano Ronaldo, and can also take heat from the media, shielding his players from pressure and criticism. He led Madrid to their best ever league season, reaching 100 points in 2011-12, when they ended Barcelona’s domestic dominance.

However, the appointment is undoubtedly a gamble. Mourinho has not lifted a league title for 11 years, and his only trophy in the last nine is a Conference League with Roma. Former Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas, whom Mourinho dropped during his previous reign, said earlier in May: “I think he is a great professional but I do not want him at Real Madrid. I believe other coaches would be better qualified to coach the club of my life.”

Mourinho’s predecessor Alvaro Arbeloa, who played under him, recalled the Portuguese made it very clear who was in charge. “He used to say, ‘You don’t want to run? No problem for me — bench. You neither? No problem for me — out’,” Arbeloa told Jot Down magazine. “He’d say it to anyone, to world champions, to Kaka, or to a youth player.”

Whether Mourinho can connect with younger players remains doubtful. His methods may have worked 10 or 20 years ago, but the current generation do not seem to respond as well to his style. Perhaps Perez considers that even if Mourinho’s spell ends in flames, it will consume the rotting parts at the club and allow for a fresh start. First, bring popcorn for the show.

Source: Accra Street Journal 

Last Updated on June 12, 2026 by Samuel Kwame Boadu

Samuel Kwame Boadu

Samuel Kwame Boadu is a Ghanaian media entrepreneur and storyteller with a passion for amplifying urban voices and uncovering everyday truths. He is the Editor-in-Chief and Founder of Accra Street Journal, a dynamic digital platform dedicated to capturing the pulse of Ghana’s capital—its people, culture, challenges, business, sports and innovations.

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