Real Madrid have confirmed the appointment of Jose Mourinho as head coach on a three-year contract. The 63-year-old returns to the Bernabéu 13 years after his first spell, during which he delivered a record-breaking La Liga triumph. His return to the Spanish capital follows the re-election of Florentino Perez as club president.
Mourinho replaces Alvaro Arbeloa, who served as interim head coach following the sacking of Xabi Alonso in January amid player unrest. The appointment comes after a second straight trophyless season for the 15-times European champions, who exited the Champions League in the quarter-finals to Bayern Munich while Barcelona won the La Liga title.
The Portuguese veteran is charged with restoring Madrid's dominance while managing a star-studded squad plagued by disharmony. Recent tensions included a confrontation between Aurélien Tchouaméni and Fede Valverde, which resulted in Valverde being taken to the hospital for stitches. As Mourinho joins Madrid from Benfica, Marco Silva has agreed to a deal to replace him at the Portuguese club.