Jose Mourinho set for Real Madrid return after agreement reached

Real Madrid have reached an agreement with Jose Mourinho to become their next manager, according to journalist Sacha Tavolieri.

Mourinho previously managed Madrid between 2010 and 2013, guiding them to a La Liga title with a record points tally, a Copa del Rey and a Spanish Super Cup.

He is still under contract with Benfica until 2027, but a clause allows him to leave if another club pays around €3 million in compensation.

President Florentino Perez considers Mourinho the perfect manager to replace Alvaro Arbeloa, who was promoted to the first team after Xabi Alonso’s sacking in January.

Mauricio Pochettino, Jurgen Klopp, Massimiliano Allegri and Didier Deschamps were also considered by the Spanish giants.

Mourinho’s experience in managing elite dressing rooms and his winning mentality could be what Madrid need to recover from this season’s disappointment, which culminated in Sunday’s El Clasico defeat.

Mourinho has his work cut out at Madrid

Mourinho will be tasked with uniting the dressing room, which has splintered in recent weeks.

He also has to find balance within the squad while bringing out the best in Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Junior and Jude Bellingham.

He is also expected to play a key role in the development of youngsters such as Arder Guler, Franco Mastantuono and Nico Paz.

Madrid will need to back him in the transfer window, particularly with the imminent departures of Dani Carvajal, Antonio Rudiger and David Alaba, all of whom are set to leave as free agents.

They will be hoping that Mourinho uses his magical touch to transform the squad as they aim to return to the summit of Spanish and European football.