Real Madrid presents José Mourinho behind closed doors on three-year contract

Private presentation at Valdebebas

Real Madrid officially presented José Mourinho on Tuesday, 18 August 2026, in a private ceremony held inside the boardroom at Ciudad Real Madrid in Valdebebas. Club president Florentino Pérez and honorary president José Martínez Pirri attended the signing of a three-season contract running until 30 June 2029. Breaking with the club's tradition of large public events at the Santiago Bernabéu, the presentation excluded external media and supporters. The club distributed footage exclusively through Real Madrid TV and its social media channels, including a 40-second video of the signing. Following the formal agreement, Pérez presented the 63-year-old manager with a replica of the stadium, a commemorative watch, and a personalised team jersey.

Emotional return after thirteen years

The appointment marks Mourinho's second term in charge of Real Madrid, returning 13 years after his departure in 2013 following a three-season tenure that yielded a La Liga title, a Copa del Rey, and a Spanish Super Cup. Mourinho, who joined after leaving Portuguese club Benfica to replace Álvaro Arbeloa, had already started working with the squad when pre-season training began on 10 July. In remarks broadcast on club media, the manager addressed supporters directly about his motivation for taking the role.

“This is coming home. Emotionally, it's even better than the first time because back then it was a feeling of reaching the very top of the world, whereas now it's more emotional and heartfelt.”

He also outlined his managerial priorities for the squad and backroom staff, defining his second spell as an institutional mission.

“I'm here to help everyone be better: players, staff... To create a culture of hard work, responsibility, ambition and something I know well, which is the responsibility and honour of working for Real Madrid.”

Squad revamp and summer signings

Mourinho's return follows two consecutive seasons in which Real Madrid failed to secure any trophies, increasing pressure on Pérez following his recent re-election. To reshape the squad, the club conducted an active summer transfer window, completing deals for Yan Diomande, Marc Cucurella, Bernardo Silva, Ibrahima Konaté, Denzel Dumfries, and Carlos Espí. Diomande arrived as the most expensive transfer in the club's history, while winger Vinícius Júnior signed a multi-year contract extension. Real Madrid plans to introduce each new signing through similar private, closed-door events at the training ground over the coming days. The new arrivals join existing squad leaders Kylian Mbappé, Vinícius Júnior, and Jude Bellingham.

Season opener and competitive schedule

The decision to restrict access around presentations forms part of an effort to shield the squad ahead of the 2026–2027 competitive campaign. Real Madrid began match preparations on 1 August with a friendly against Fiorentina. The team will open its La Liga season on Saturday, 22 August, facing Espanyol at the RCDE Stadium in Barcelona with kickoff scheduled for 21:30. A fixture against Real Sociedad, originally slated as the league opener, was rescheduled to 26 August due to player involvement in the World Cup. Real Madrid aims to reclaim the league title and halt Barcelona's bid for a third consecutive Spanish championship.