The Portuguese coach returns after a 13-year absence.
MADRID, SPAIN — July 2026. José Mourinho has begun his second spell as Real Madrid head coach with an initial working session at the club’s Valdebebas training complex. The Portuguese manager met his coaching staff to finalize preparations for the 2026–27 preseason. Full training officially begins on July 13.
Mourinho returns 13 years after concluding his first three-season period in Madrid. During that tenure, he won La Liga, the Copa del Rey and the Spanish Super Cup while guiding the club to three consecutive Champions League semifinals. He has signed a three-year contract lasting until June 2029.
The opening phase will be affected by the absence of players still participating in the World Cup or completing their post-tournament breaks. Jude Bellingham, Kylian Mbappé and Aurélien Tchouaméni are among those unavailable. Mourinho intends to use the reduced group to evaluate younger players and strengthen cooperation with Real Madrid Castilla.
The squad has already been reinforced by Marc Cucurella, Denzel Dumfries, Ibrahima Konaté and Bernardo Silva. Mourinho said his objective is to build a culture founded on work, responsibility and ambition. He described his return not simply as a job, but as a mission carried out for the club.
Real Madrid enters the new era under pressure to recover its competitive authority and return to winning major trophies. Mourinho’s first day offered no dramatic declarations—only an immediate message of intent.
Thirteen years later, Mourinho is back where expectation never sleeps.