Big-money signing made official: Mourinho appointed Real Madrid coach

Thirteen years after leaving, José Mourinho is returning to the Santiago Bernabéu. After Florentino Pérez was elected to another term as Real Madrid president, the Portuguese coach’s appointment, which was one of the campaign promises, became official. He signed today, Monday, for three seasons with the club after the Spanish side activated his release clause from Benfica for 15 million euros.

The 63-year-old previously coached in Madrid from 2010 to 2013. In the 2011/12 season, he led Los Blancos to a historic league title against Pep Guardiola’s Barcelona, breaking records that still stand, with 100 points and 121 goals. He also won the Copa del Rey in 2011 and the Spanish Super Cup in 2012. Mourinho now returns to the Spanish capital after spells at Chelsea, Manchester United, Tottenham, Roma, Fenerbahçe and Benfica.

The Portuguese coach faces a difficult challenge. Real Madrid are coming off two seasons without a major trophy, and alongside the ambition to win La Liga and the Champions League, he will need to restore order in a dressing room full of stars and egos, a task at which two of his "students", Xabi Alonso and Álvaro Arbeloa, failed before him. Mourinho is the third coach to return for a second spell under Florentino Pérez, after Zinedine Zidane, who won another league title, and Carlo Ancelotti, who lifted two league titles and the Champions League twice.

Mourinho now hopes to further enrich his legacy in Madrid, and perhaps lead the team to its 16th European Cup and his third in his personal career. Mourinho signed a four-year contract and will officially join the team’s training sessions on July 13.