SPORTbible reports that Real Madrid has officially confirmed the re-appointment of Jose Mourinho as head coach, marking his second stint at the Santiago Bernabeu. The move comes at a significant cost, with the Spanish giants agreeing to pay a club-record compensation fee of €15 million to Benfica for the Portuguese manager’s services.
The announcement follows a turbulent period for Real Madrid, which saw head coach Alvaro Arbeloa depart after just five months in charge. The club endured a trophy-less campaign last season, a stark contrast to their usual high standards, setting the stage for a dramatic change at the helm.
A costly return to the Bernabeu
The €15 million compensation fee paid to Benfica represents a new club record for Real Madrid for a managerial appointment. This figure places the deal among the most expensive in football history for a coach, with only two other clubs having paid more. Julian Nagelsmann’s move to Bayern Munich currently holds the world record for a compensation fee for a manager.
Benfica SAD formally disclosed the agreement to the CMVM (Portugal Securities Market Commission) on June 9, 2026, at 9:04 PM. The official statement confirmed Real Madrid’s intention to hire Mourinho for the specified amount, with the coach having already given his consent.
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“Benfica SAD has informed the CMVM [Portugal Securities Market Commission] that Real Madrid CF has formally expressed its intention to hire Jose Mourinho for the amount of 15 million euros, with the coach having given his agreement,” the Benfica statement read, as reported by SL Benfica.
Perez’s promise delivered
Mourinho’s return fulfills a key promise made by Florentino Perez during his presidential election campaign. Perez, whose re-election was made official after securing 65 per cent of the vote against Enrique Riquelme on Sunday, had publicly committed to bringing Mourinho back to the club.
Following his re-election, Perez reiterated his ambitions for the club and his faith in Mourinho. “We will continue to take pride in the Santiago Bernabeu stadium, the best stadium in the world. 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,” Perez stated. “We will continue working so that Real Madrid keeps winning titles, and we will fight until the end to achieve the sixteenth European Cup. We must stay united, driven by our passion for Real Madrid. To those who did not vote for me, I will do everything possible to address your concerns.”
Mourinho is expected to assume a more authoritative role at Real Madrid compared to his predecessor, Alvaro Arbeloa, which will grant him significant influence over transfer dealings. His official unveiling by the club is anticipated later this week.
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Sources: www.sportbible.com, x.com
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