Mourinho Nears Real Madrid Return After 13 Years as Trophy Drought Deepens
Updated
Updated · The Guardian · May 15
Mourinho Nears Real Madrid Return After 13 Years as Trophy Drought Deepens
8 articles · Updated · The Guardian · May 15
José Mourinho is poised to return as Real Madrid manager 13 years after leaving, with internal backing hardening as the club’s season nears its end.
Two years without a major trophy, Barcelona’s renewed dominance and a shrinking list of alternatives have pushed Florentino Pérez toward the one coach seen as forceful enough to reset the club.
Mourinho said Friday he has not reviewed Benfica’s extension offer before Sunday’s final game, and a clause would let him leave within 10 days of the season ending.
Pérez is expected to win re-election unopposed on May 24 — the day Madrid’s season ends — aligning the timing for a formal move despite public denials.
The comeback would revive one of Madrid’s most divisive recent eras, but Pérez now appears willing to overlook that history in a crisis demanding a bigger personality.
Is Mourinho's return a desperate gamble on past glory or the masterstroke needed to tame today's superstar-filled Real Madrid?
After a decade without a league title, can Mourinho's methods still break Barcelona's dominance and conquer Europe?
Real Madrid 2026: Mourinho’s Comeback Amid Crisis, Locker Room Turmoil, and the Quest for Champions League Glory
Overview
Real Madrid is on the verge of a major managerial change, with José Mourinho reportedly close to returning to the club as of May 18, 2026. Negotiations are in their final stages, and his comeback is expected to be one of the biggest stories of the European summer. This move comes at a time of significant tension and underperformance for Real Madrid, both on the field and in the locker room, creating urgency for a new direction. Mourinho’s return could reshape the club’s ambitions in Spain and the Champions League, signaling major changes to Real Madrid’s sports project.