Jose Mourinho set to return as Real Madrid boss after 13 years away

RETURN OF THE SPECIAL ONE: Jose Mourinho has agreed a deal to return to Real Madrid as head coach, according to reports. Pic: AP Photo/Armando Franca.

Jose Mourinho has agreed a deal to return to Real Madrid as head coach 13 years after his departure, according to reports.

The 63-year-old Portuguese is set to replace Alvaro Arbeloa, who took over from new Chelsea boss Xabi Alonso in January and has steered the club to a guaranteed second-place LaLiga finish, although they sit 11 points behind champions Barcelona with one round of fixtures remaining.

Mourinho spent three years in charge at the Santiago Bernabeu between 2010 and 2013, winning the league title – his team were the first to do so having amassed 100 points – and the Copa del Rey.

His impending return follows weeks of speculation that he was the man president Florentino Perez wanted to take the club forward as they attempt to challenge Barca, who have landed back to back league titles and three of the last four, and return to Champions League prominence following this season’s quarter-final exit at the hands of Bayern Munich.

Perez has come under increasing pressure in recent weeks after two seasons without a trophy, and faced protests during last Thursday evening’s 2-0 league win over Oviedo at the Bernabeu.

Mourinho was appointed Benfica boss on a two-year contract in September last year and has since led the Portuguese club to a third-placed Primeira Liga finish behind Porto and Sporting Lisbon, during which they went unbeaten.

However, Mourinho is understood to have a modest release clause in his deal which has allowed Real to prise him free relatively inexpensively.

Mourinho, who has been touted repeatedly as a future Portugal manager, remains one of world football’s big beasts.

He began to learn his trade under Sir Bobby Robson, initially serving as the Englishman’s interpreter during his time in charge at Sporting and Porto before following him to Barca and working as his assistant.

After launching his managerial career in Portugal – he led Porto to two Primeira Liga successes and Champions League glory in 2004 – Mourinho made the switch to Chelsea and has since taken charge at Inter Milan, Real, Manchester United, Tottenham, Roma, Fenerbahce and Benfica.

He won another European crown with Inter as well league titles in England, Spain and Italy among a glittering array of domestic and continental trophies.