Jose Mourinho is expected to be announced as Real Madrid’s manager, returning to the club for the first time in 13 years.
Published June 8, 2026
Florentino Perez has been overwhelmingly re-elected as Real Madrid president, paving the way for Jose Mourinho to return as manager.
Perez, 79, who served as president for 23 years over two terms, won 65% of the votes, defeating 37-year-old challenger Enrique Riquelme, the club announced on Sunday.
“We won the election and we will continue to strive to win titles,” Perez said in his victory speech.
The result means Mourinho could be announced as Real Madrid’s new manager as early as Monday.
The 63-year-old will be returning from his last managerial role at the Santiago Bernabéu 13 years ago, with Madrid reportedly paying Mourinho’s current club Benfica a 15 million euro ($17.25 million) release clause.
“We remain proud that the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium is the best stadium in the world,” Perez said.
“We are proud to have the best players in the world and proud to welcome back a Madrid player like Jose Mourinho, one of the best managers in the world.”
Mourinho first joined Real Madrid in 2010 and spent three seasons with the club.
During his tenure, he won one La Liga title, one Copa del Rey title and one Spanish Super Cup title in a fierce rivalry with Josep Guardiola’s Barcelona.
Appointing the divisive Mourinho will be a gamble for President Perez after the Whites ended the 2025-26 season without winning any major trophies, for the second consecutive unsuccessful season.
“We will continue to work hard so that Real Madrid continues to win titles,” Perez said.
“And we will fight until the end to win our 16th European Cup.”
In a short video shared on Perez’s official Instagram account last week, the Portuguese coach appeared wearing a Real Madrid shirt and said: “Yes, that’s right.”
Meanwhile, defeated candidate Riquelme had promised to sign Manchester City’s Norwegian striker Erling Haaland if he won.
Real Madrid is wholly owned by the members who elect the president.
“Rest assured, with me as president, Real Madrid has always been, is and will continue to belong to our members,” Pérez said.
