Former Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho is reportedly poised for a sensational return to the club, contingent upon the re-election of current president Florentino Perez. This week’s executive council election for the storied Spanish club has brought the prospect of Mourinho’s comeback to the forefront, with Perez expressing strong confidence in securing another term at the helm of the La Liga giants.
Perez, the incumbent Real Madrid president, faces a formidable challenge from Enrique Riquelme, a prominent renewable energy entrepreneur. Riquelme’s candidacy marks the first time in two decades that Perez has faced an opponent for the club’s top leadership position. In an effort to rally support and outline his vision for the upcoming season, the 79-year-old president released a video clip on his personal account, asserting that Mourinho has already agreed to take charge of the team once more.
The video reportedly features a montage highlighting the Portuguese manager’s historical achievements with Real Madrid during his first tenure. Notably, under Mourinho’s guidance in 2012, Real Madrid famously clinched the La Liga title with an impressive record of 100 points. While Mourinho’s last league title came in 2015 with Chelsea, his previous success at the Santiago Bernabéu remains a significant part of his legacy.
The desire for Mourinho’s return from the Real Madrid leadership stems from a challenging period for the club. The recently concluded season saw the team finish without a single major trophy. Despite being 15-time UEFA Champions League winners, Real Madrid has been eliminated from Europe’s premier club competition at the quarter-final stage for the past two consecutive seasons. This two-season trophy drought has reportedly been a key factor in Perez’s decision to call for new presidential elections.
As Perez confirms his candidacy for another term, his challenger Riquelme has also made bold statements regarding his potential plans. Speaking on television, Riquelme declared that his first priority if elected would be to sign Manchester City midfielder Rodri. Furthermore, he outlined ambitions to bring star striker Erling Haaland to the club, signaling a dramatic overhaul should he win the presidency. Meanwhile, Mourinho’s recent managerial career includes winning the EFL Cup and Europa League with Manchester United, followed by a triumph in the Europa Conference League with AS Roma. The Portuguese tactician is currently managing SL Benfica, where he has maintained an undefeated record in the Portuguese top flight this season.
