By Dorcas Francis Koji
José Mourinho has officially returned as Real Madrid head coach, 13 years after leaving the Spanish giants following his first spell at the club between 2010 and 2013.
The Portuguese coach was formally presented on Tuesday during a private ceremony at the boardroom of Ciudad Real Madrid, where he signed a three-year contract that will keep him at the Santiago Bernabéu until June 30, 2029.
Real Madrid president Florentino Pérez welcomed Mourinho during the ceremony, which was also attended by honorary president José Martínez Pirri.
Following the signing, Mourinho received a replica of the stadium, a watch and a Real Madrid jersey bearing his name.
The 63-year-old described his return as a more emotional experience than his first arrival at the club, insisting that he sees his appointment as a mission rather than simply another coaching job.
“I feel this is a mission. It goes beyond words. I am here to help everyone become better and to create a culture of work, responsibility and ambition,” Mourinho said.
“I also want to instil the responsibility and honour of working for Real Madrid.”
Mourinho also emphasised his emotional connection with Real Madrid and its supporters, declaring himself a lifelong Madridista.
“I am a Madridista. I have always been, even since I left. I am one of you, Madridistas,” he said.
Addressing the club’s supporters directly, Mourinho recalled the affection he received during his first spell and particularly highlighted the celebrations surrounding Real Madrid’s victory over Borussia Dortmund at Wembley.
“I am one of you. But not just today; I have always been, since the day I was presented in 2010, the day I left in 2013,” he added.
“I have a fantastic memory of Wembley when we beat Dortmund, and the affection that was shown to me that day. I really am one of you.”
The Portuguese coach also made it clear that he expects everyone working at Real Madrid’s training complex to embrace a collective sense of responsibility.
“I am here to work for Real Madrid. Everyone should follow this way. I want everyone who enters Valdebebas to feel it, that we are working for Real Madrid,” he said.
Mourinho’s return has already generated intense debate among football supporters on social media, with fans offering contrasting opinions about his appointment and his comments about responsibility and culture.
Some supporters welcomed his return and backed him to bring greater discipline and stability to the dressing room, while others questioned whether his managerial style could avoid the conflicts that characterised parts of his previous spells at several clubs.
Others also revived Mourinho’s long-running rivalry with Barcelona and former Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola, while some predicted that his latest return to Real Madrid could eventually end in another dismissal.
Despite the divided reaction, Mourinho will now turn his attention to the pitch as Real Madrid prepare for the new LaLiga campaign.
The Spanish giants are scheduled to open their league season against Espanyol on Saturday, with Mourinho beginning his second era at the club under immediate pressure to deliver success.
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