Mourinho Returns to Real Madrid and May Soon Land Bernardo Silva

Jose Mourinho has officially returned to Real Madrid for a second stint, 13 years after leaving the club. The appointment became formal this week, after Florentino Perez was re-elected president and the club activated Mourinho’s release clause from Benfica for 15 million euros. He signed a three-year contract and is set to be presented on July 13.

The 63-year-old Portuguese coach previously led Real Madrid from 2010 to 2013. In that spell he won La Liga in 2011/12, beating Pep Guardiola’s Barcelona with a record 100 points and 121 goals, and also captured the Copa del Rey in 2011 and the Spanish Super Cup in 2012. Mourinho later coached Chelsea, Manchester United, Tottenham, Roma, Fenerbahce and Benfica.

His return comes with a major challenge, restoring Madrid to the top of Spanish and European football after two seasons without a major trophy and managing a dressing room full of stars and egos. He becomes the third coach to return for a second term under Perez, after Zinedine Zidane and Carlo Ancelotti. Madrid hopes he can help deliver the club’s 16th European Cup, and Mourinho’s third overall.

A first major signing may follow soon. Fabrizio Romano reported that Bernardo Silva is close to joining Real Madrid from Manchester City, with a two-year contract and an option for a third season. The Portugal midfielder was a top target for Mourinho, and Madrid have already made a formal offer. After that, Silva reportedly stopped talks with Barcelona and Atletico Madrid. If completed, the move would end nearly a decade at City and become one of the headline additions of Mourinho’s new era.