Mourinho set for Real Madrid return; Pepe set to join legendary manager's backroom staff
Madrid, June 8
Legendary football manager Jose Mourinho is all set for a return to Real Madrid following Florentino Perez's re-election as the club president, with another club legend set to join the seasoned manager in the backroom team, reported Goal.com.
Perez has secured another presidential tenure with 65 per cent of the vote at Spain's giants after calling for an election last month following the team's trophyless 2025-26 season. One of his promises as part of his campaign was to bring back Mourinho, who served the club from 2010-13, leading them to a La Liga title among other honours.
The official announcement of Mourinho's signing with the club is still pending, with the move considered a mere formality at the moment as they aim to end a two-year trophyless drought.
Mourinho is already active in the market, with moves to bring stars like Liverpool's Ibrahima Konate and Inter Milan's Denzel Dumfries reportedly being worked out too.
A significant appointment could be off the pitch, in the form of Pepe, who served the club from 2007-17, winning three La Ligas and UEFA Champions League titles each.
As per a report from Sport, as quoted by Goal.com, the first major addition to Mourinho's staff will be the legendary centre-back Pepe. The 43-year-old, who retired from professional football in 2024, is set to venture into the world of coaching with a club whose winning DNA he is very well aware of.
The former Portugal international will act as a bridge between the players and management, with Mourinho also keen to have someone in the backroom staff who has a close connection with the club. Pepe's defensive excellence and intensity have defined his years with the club, having played 334 matches for the club.
Mourinho also aims to bring several members of his staff with Benfica along with him, but he holds Pepe's charisma and knowledge really valuable.
— ANI
Reader Comments
I'm cautiously optimistic. Mourinho's tactics are from a different era. La Liga has evolved; teams like Barcelona and Atletico are quicker and more technical. Pepe as a bridge? Maybe. But hiring based on nostalgia rarely works. Let's see if he adapts. In India, we call this 'old wine in a new bottle' — we'll see if it's still good.
Pepe as a coach? Excellent move. His experience and defensive mentality will shape the younger players. In Indian cricket, we often see legends like Rahul Dravid mentoring; this is similar for Spanish football. The Konate signing sounds promising too. Mourinho knows how to win when his back is against the wall. Vamos!
Honestly, I'm not convinced. Perez's re-election was already controversial, and now he's bringing back Mourinho — who had a volatile relationship with players like Casillas. Having Pepe around might help, but the board needs long-term planning. We Indians love drama in our football, but this feels like a gamble. Hope it works.
Mou is back! This is huge. His record at Real Madrid was stellar — 2011 Copa del Rey, 2012 La Liga, and a 100-point season. Pepe as staff adds the aggression and loyalty we need. The Konate and Dumfries rumors are interesting too. Can't wait to see the team's intensity on the pitch. Bring on El Clásico! 🇮🇳🤝🇪🇸
The chemistry between
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.