Real Madrid president Florentino Perez announced Wednesday that he will bring Jose Mourinho back as the club's manager if he wins the club's presidential election on Sunday, according to Al Jazeera.
Perez delivered the announcement on his social media channels with a short video featuring Mourinho simply saying "Yes!" The post used the slogan "So MOUch history to be made," a reference to the Portuguese coach's previous tenure at the club.
Sunday's vote is the first contested Real Madrid presidential election in 20 years. Perez faces challenger Enrique Riquelme, a renewable energy entrepreneur. The election was called after a disappointing domestic season in which Barcelona secured back-to-back La Liga titles, and Real exited the Champions League at the quarterfinal stage for the second consecutive year.
Mourinho first managed Real Madrid from 2010 to 2013. During that period, he won one La Liga title, a Copa del Rey, and a Spanish Super Cup. He guided the club to a record La Liga points tally in 2012. If Perez wins Sunday and Mourinho returns, it would mark the coach's comeback to the Bernabeu 13 years after his departure.
Since leaving Real, Mourinho's record has been mixed. He won the League Cup and Europa League with Manchester United, and led AS Roma to the Conference League title. His managerial path also took him to Tottenham Hotspur, Fenerbahce, and Benfica, where he was under contract through June 2027. Mourinho had previously stated that no contact had been made with Real Madrid despite widespread reports linking him to a return.
Riquelme, appearing on Spanish television program El Hormiguero on Wednesday, outlined a different vision for the club. He said Manchester City midfielder and Spain captain Rodri would be his first signing if elected, that he would also target Manchester City striker Erling Haaland, and that former club great Raul would serve as sports director under his presidency.
Xabi Alonso was sacked by Real in January during his first season in charge. Assistant coach Alvaro Arbeloa has been managing the team since then.
