Announcement comes as challenger Enrique Riquelme vows to sign Haaland and Rodri if elected
Florentino Perez has confirmed that Jose Mourinho will return for a second spell as Real Madrid manager if he is re-elected as club president in Sunday’s election.
Perez announced the move on Wednesday through his social media channels, posting a short video in which Mourinho answered “Yes!” to the prospect of returning to the Bernabeu. The clip was accompanied by the slogan “So MOUch history to be made”.
The pledge comes as Perez faces off against renewable energy entrepreneur Enrique Riquelme in Madrid’s first contested presidential election in two decades.
The result will determine not only the Madrid’s leadership but also its direction as the club seeks to reassert domestic and European dominance after two disappointing seasons.
Madrid finished behind Barcelona again this season and have now failed to in a trophy for the past two years. Perez called elections as pressure continued to mount on him and rivals at the club questioned his leadership.
Mourinho managed Madrid between 2010 and 2013 and delivered a league title in 2011-12, when the club amassed a then-record 100 points in La Liga. However, there has been debate over the past decade as to whether Mourinho’s methods are still suited to the game.
The 63-year-old has not won a domestic league title since leading Chelsea to the Premier League crown in 2015. Since then he has collected the Europa League and League Cup with Manchester United and guided Roma to the inaugural Europa Conference League trophy, while also managing Tottenham, Fenerbahce and Benfica.
Perez’s announcement came on the same day that challenger Riquelme outlined his own plans, promising to sign Erling Haaland and Rodri from Manchester City and appoint club legend Raul as sporting director if elected.
