Mourinho returns to Real Madrid: the Special One comes back 13 years later

Some news makes you jump off the sofa. And then there's news that makes you check the calendar to make sure it's not April 1st. The return of José Mourinho to Real Madrid is the latter. But it's real. Fabrizio Romano, the oracle of the transfer market, confirmed it on May 18th: a verbal two-year agreement between the Special One and the white club.

Mourinho arrives at a particularly delicate moment for Madrid. The 2025/26 season has been, without sugar-coating it, an absolute disaster. Xabi Alonso, who arrived full of hope, was sacked in January after losing the Supercopa final against Barcelona. Álvaro Arbeloa, Castilla's manager, had to step in as interim. And Hansi Flick's Barcelona have won LaLiga by 14 points. Two seasons running.

The operation has all its loose ends: the official announcement will come on May 23rd, after the Real Madrid vs Athletic Club match. The compensation to Benfica, his current club, is around 7 million euros. Contract until mid-2028.

What can Mourinho bring? Defensive structure, competitive mentality and, above all, a motivational ability that's second to none. The problem is that football in 2026 isn't what it was in 2010-2013. We'll have to see if the smartest dinosaur on the bench has adapted to the new era.

The great showdown we're facing next season: Mourinho vs Flick. Organised chaos against positional football. The bus parked in front of the box vs pressing after losing possession. The preseason headlines are going to be epic.