News Focus
- Jose Mourinho will officially become Real Madrid’s new manager after Florentino Perez won the presidential election
- Perez secured 65% of votes to remain president until 2030, defeating challenger Enrique Riquelme
- Mourinho signed a three-year contract last month, but it only became valid after Perez’s victory
- The Portuguese coach is leaving Benfica to replace Alvaro Arbeloa at the Bernabeu
- Perez has promised to sign a “great player” for a club record fee this summer
Jose Mourinho is set to return to the Santiago Bernabeu after Florentino Perez secured another term as Real Madrid president. The 79-year-old won the club election with 65% of the vote, ensuring the Portuguese coach’s three-year deal becomes active.
Perez faced his first challenger in two decades, Enrique Riquelme, but dominated the ballot with 21,741 votes against 11,814. The victory means Perez will lead the Spanish giants until 2030, having first taken office in 2009.
Mourinho, aged 63, agreed to join the club last month on the condition that Perez remained in charge. The former Chelsea and Manchester United boss will now leave Benfica, where he spent just one season and guided them to third place in the Portuguese league.
This marks Mourinho’s second spell at the Bernabeu. Between 2010 and 2013, he won La Liga, the Copa del Rey, and the Spanish Super Cup. He replaces Alvaro Arbeloa, who became interim manager in January following Xabi Alonso’s exit.
Real Madrid finished the 2025-26 campaign without any trophies after Barcelona claimed the La Liga title with a 2-0 El Clasico win. Perez has promised supporters a record-breaking signing to strengthen the squad.
Speaking after his victory, Perez said: “We will fight until the end to achieve the 16th European Cup. We are proud to welcome back one of the best coaches in the world, a true Madridista like Jose Mourinho.”