José Mourinho is reportedly on the verge of returning to Real Madrid after agreeing to a two-year deal with the Spanish giants.
According to reports from Brazil, the experienced Portuguese coach has already reached a verbal agreement with Madrid and is expected to make a comeback to the Santiago Bernabéu, where he previously managed between 2010 and 2013. The agreement is yet to be officially signed, but sources say discussions have been concluded.
Mourinho is currently in charge of Benfica, and the Portuguese side is expected to receive around €7 million as compensation since his contract runs until 2027.
The move comes after Real Madrid endured another disappointing season, finishing without a major trophy for the second consecutive year. The club is currently trailing Barcelona by 11 points in La Liga with only one game left to play.
Madrid were also knocked out of the UEFA Champions League at the quarter-final stage by Bayern Munich, increasing pressure on the club’s hierarchy to make a major managerial change.
Mourinho is expected to replace Álvaro Arbeloa, who took charge earlier this year after the dismissal of Xabi Alonso. Arbeloa’s future role at the club remains uncertain, though there are suggestions he could stay in another capacity.
During his first spell at Real Madrid, Mourinho won one La Liga title, one Copa del Rey and one Spanish Super Cup, while also overseeing a fierce rivalry with Pep Guardiola’s Barcelona.
Speaking after Benfica’s final league match of the season, Mourinho admitted that his representative, Jorge Mendes, had held talks with Real Madrid, while Benfica had also offered him a contract extension.
He said a final decision on his future was expected within the week.
Since leaving Madrid in 2013, Mourinho has managed several top clubs, including Chelsea, Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur, AS Roma and Fenerbahçe.
His return to Madrid, if finalised, would mark one of the biggest managerial moves of the summer as the Spanish club seeks to rebuild and return to winning ways.
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