Mourinho back at Real Madrid as Bernardo Silva seals move
Spanish La Liga club Real Madrid has unveiled Portuguese journeyman Jose Mourinho as new manager and has also signed Manchester City midfielder Bernando Silva as a new player in a stunning double move.
The club announced in a statement issued on Thursday that they have appointed Mourinho on a three-year deal until 2029, paying Portuguese club, Benefica, the sum of €15 million to secure his services before preseason on July 13.
The 63-year-old regarded as one of the most decorated coaches in the world returns to the Bernabeu after leading Real Madrid to La Liga and Copa del Ray titles in 2012, stepping in following a trophyless season under interim coach, Alvaro Arbeloa.
“The Board of Directors of Real Madrid C.F., meeting today, Thursday, June 11, and chaired by Florentino Pérez, has agreed to appoint José Mourinho as first-team coach for the next three seasons, until June 30, 2029.
“José Mourinho will join Real Madrid on July 13, the day preseason training begins”. The club wrote in a statement.
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In a related development, the club also finalized a two-year deal with free agent Bernando Silva from Manchester City, who has passed his medical, choosing Real Madrid over late offers from Atletico Madrid and Barcelona upon Mourinho’s request.
The 31-year-old midfielder who is regarded as a versatile creator comes in to fill the void created by the departure of Croatian player, Luka Modric, thus marking president Florentino Perez’s boldest reset after two trophyless seasons.
Before sanctioning the move to sign Silva as a free agent, Mourinho had already started his squad rebuild with the signing of Ibrahima Konaté from Liverpool on deal until June 2030 and Denzel Dumfries for a €20 million transfer fee from Inter Milan.
Mourinho has also given the green light for the contract extension of Germany defender Antony Rudiger until 2027 with other blockbuster signings to follow according to reports.
