Ask Onix
Mourinho confirmed as Real Madrid manager following Perez victory
Real Madrid is poised to officially appoint Jose Mourinho as its new head coach after club president Florentino Perez secured re-election with a decisive majority, sources confirmed on Monday.
Perez retains presidency with strong mandate
Florentino Perez, 79, won a new term as Real Madrid president until 2030 after capturing 65% of the vote in an election held last month. The result ensures continuity for the club, which operates as a members-owned entity where the president is elected by socios.
Perez, who has led the club since 2009, faced his first competitive election in two decades. His sole challenger, renewable energy executive Enrique Riquelme, secured 35% of the vote, translating to 11,814 ballots compared to Perez's 21,741.
"We have won the elections and will continue working to keep winning titles. I am still here to defend Real Madrid," Perez declared during an extraordinary news conference last month. "We will fight until the end to achieve the 16th European Cup."
Mourinho's contract hinged on Perez's re-election
Mourinho, 63, signed a preliminary three-year agreement last month to return as Real Madrid's head coach, but the deal was contingent on Perez retaining the presidency. With Perez's victory confirmed, the Portuguese manager is now set to formally take charge.
This will mark Mourinho's second stint at the Santiago Bernabéu, having previously managed the club from 2010 to 2013, where he won La Liga, the Copa del Rey, and the Spanish Super Cup. His last major trophy came in 2022, when he guided Roma to victory in the UEFA Europa Conference League.
Leadership transition underway at Real Madrid
Mourinho will replace Álvaro Arbeloa, who assumed the managerial role in January following Xabi Alonso's departure. Arbeloa's tenure was short-lived, as Real Madrid concluded the 2025-26 season without silverware, finishing as runners-up in La Liga after Barcelona secured the title with a 2-0 victory in El Clásico.
Prior to joining Real Madrid, Mourinho managed Benfica this season, leading the Portuguese side to a third-place finish in the Primeira Liga after taking over in September.
Perez outlines ambitious plans for the club
During his re-election campaign, Perez pledged to make a club-record signing for an unnamed "great player" if victorious. He also reaffirmed his commitment to maintaining Real Madrid's status as a member-owned institution, emphasizing the club's global prestige.
"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. With me as president, Real Madrid has been, is, and will always remain owned by its members," Perez stated.
What's next for Real Madrid?
Mourinho's appointment signals a shift in strategy for a club seeking to reclaim domestic and European dominance. His arrival comes at a pivotal moment, with questions lingering over key players, including Vinícius Júnior, whose future has been a topic of speculation amid Mourinho's return.
