Jose Mourinho has agreed to return to Real Madrid, 13 years on from his acrimonious exit.
Mourinho, who is currently manager at Benfica in his native Portugal, is making a controversial return to the Bernabeu – despite the protests of his former player and club legend Iker Casillas.
The former Chelsea and Manchester United manager, 63, steps into a crisis club after a season clouded by players fighting each other, an early Champions League exit, and Barcelona steaming to the LaLiga title.
One of the most vocal objectors has been Casillas, who was dropped as No 1 goalkeeper by Mourinho during his previous spell at Real.
‘I have no problem with Mourinho,’ Casillas wrote on X last week. ‘I think he’s a great professional. I just don’t want him at Real Madrid.
Jose Mourinho is set to return to Real Madrid – 13 years after his acrimonious exit
Iker Casillas, Sergio Ramos, Mourinho and Florentino Perez pose together in 2012
‘I believe other coaches would be better suited to manage the club I love. That’s just my personal opinion. Nothing more’
Mourinho is believed to have agreed to a two-year contract at Los Blancos, and he will travel to Madrid to close the deal after the club’s final game of the season against Athletic Bilbao on Saturday.
The news has broken after Benfica finished their Portuguese league campaign with a comfortable 3-1 victory over Estoril, meaning the club finished the season unbeaten in the top flight.
After the match, Mourinho made it clear that his ‘future should be decided this week’.
‘I need time. I need space. I need time to make my decision,’ Mourinho said. ‘This week I think will be very important.
‘I don’t have a proposal from Real Madrid. But to hide, to say there is nothing, I cannot do that. There is something. But not with me directly.’
More to follow.
