Real Madrid officially presents José Mourinho in a closed-door ceremony

By: Tales Azzoni, The Associated Press Posted: 9:48 AM CDT Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2026

MADRID (AP) — In an unusual ceremony closed to the media and fans, Real Madrid officially presented coach José Mourinho on Tuesday.

Read this article for free:

or

Already have an account? Log in here »

To continue reading, please subscribe:

*First annual payment billed as $205.00 + GST for one year. This annual subscription will automatically renew at $233.00 + GST every 52 weeks (10% off the regular annual price of $259.35). Offer available to new and qualified returning subscribers only. Cancel any time.

MADRID (AP) — In an unusual ceremony closed to the media and fans, Real Madrid officially presented coach José Mourinho on Tuesday.

Read unlimited articles for free today:

or

Already have an account? Log in here »

MADRID (AP) — In an unusual ceremony closed to the media and fans, Real Madrid officially presented coach José Mourinho on Tuesday.

The event took place at the club’s headquarters in Madrid, with president Florentino Pérez welcoming the coach.

The only images of the presentation were provided by Real Madrid TV and the club’s website and social media accounts.

Real Madrid's head coach Jose Mourinho reacts prior to the friendly soccer match between Ferencvaros TC and Real Madrid in the Groupama Arena in Budapest, Hungary, Saturday, Aug. 8, 2026. (Boglarka Bodnar/MTI via AP)

“I’m one of you,” Mourinho said in a message to fans in a video released by the club. “And not just today, but since I arrived in 2010 and after I left in 2013, always with you. … To return to Real Madrid is to return home.”

Madrid said the coach was signed for three seasons until June 30, 2029.

After the signing, Madrid said Mourinho received a replica of the stadium, a watch and a jersey with his name.

Madrid has been revamped after a second consecutive season without a major title. In addition to Mourinho, who replaced Álvaro Arbeloa, the club also brought in players such as Marc Cucurella, Ibrahima Konaté, Denzel Dumfries, Bernardo Silva and Yan Diomande.

Kylian Mbappé, Vinícius Júnior and Jude Bellingham will lead the squad again as it tries to keep Barcelona from winning a third straight La Liga title.

Mourinho was hired in June and officially took over in July at the start of the preseason.

He is back for a second stint with Madrid some 13 years after he left the club. He was in charge from 2010-13, winning a Spanish league and a Copa del Rey. He was more remembered for his confrontational personality that ended up splitting his own squad and alienating all but the most hardcore fans, as well as a large part of the local media.

___

See AP’s full soccer coverage here