Mourinho started working at Real earlier this summer, but was only officially introduced as the club's new coach yesterday. The unusual presentation took place behind closed doors in a meeting room at the Ciudad Real Madrid complex. Fans and media were not allowed to attend, and Real Madrid TV, the club's official channel, broadcast only a few images of the event.

Coach Jose Mourinho (left) with President Florentino Perez during his presentation as Real Madrid's new head coach on 18/8. Photo: Real Madrid FC.

"I have returned home", Mourinho said. The Portuguese coach appeared alongside President Florentino Perez, signing a contract for three years, until 30/6/2029, and posed for photos with a Real jersey bearing his name. Earlier, Perez delivered a brief speech, welcoming the new coach.

Following the signing ceremony, Mourinho received a stadium model, a watch, and a Real jersey with his name. Honorary President Jose Martinez Pirri also attended the event, according to a brief announcement on the club's official website. "This time is more special than the first", the announcement stated.

"When I first came to Real, it was the pinnacle of my professional career. But this time, besides the professional aspect, there's also emotion and affection. Therefore, I believe this period is more special than the first", he told Real Madrid TV. "I feel this is a mission, and it goes beyond words. I am here to help everyone progress, and to build a culture of hard work, responsibility, and ambition".

The Portuguese coach also emphasized his desire to instill in Real members a sense of responsibility and pride in working for the club. "It is important to work for Real, and I want that to be the spirit of every member at Valdebebas. To everyone, I can only say that I am one of you. I have always been that way since the day I left", Mourinho stated.

Coach Jose Mourinho signs a three-year contract with Real Madrid. Photo: Real Madrid FC.

Mourinho's return to Real comes at a time when his standing differs significantly from his first arrival at the Bernabeu in the summer of 2010. Back then, "The Special One" was at the peak of his career, having just guided Inter Milan to a historic treble in the 2009-2010 season. He was chosen with the expectation of breaking Barcelona's dominance and restoring Real to the pinnacle of European football.

Over three seasons managing Real, from 2010 to 2013, Mourinho led the team to one La Liga title, one Copa del Rey, and one Spanish Super Cup. Real won 71,9% of their matches under him, the third highest win rate in the club's history, trailing only Manuel Pellegrini's tenure from 2009-2010 (75%) and Carlo Ancelotti's from 2013-2015 (74,8%).

However, Mourinho could not achieve the biggest goal: leading Real to a Champions League title. After the 2012-2013 season, Mourinho departed Real Madrid, concluding a tenure marked by successes but also considerable controversy.

While his first arrival in Madrid saw Mourinho as one of the world's most sought-after coaches, his subsequent journey indicated a gradual decline in his standing. After leaving Real, Mourinho went on to manage Chelsea, Man Utd, Tottenham, Roma, Fenerbahçe, and Benfica, winning an additional Europa League with Man Utd and a Conference League with Roma. Nevertheless, he has not returned to the position of a top candidate for Europe's most influential coaching roles as he was in previous periods.

Mourinho during his presentation as Real Madrid's new head coach.

This presentation marks Real's first this summer, as they welcome a total of 6 new players alongside Mourinho: Marc Cucurella, Bernardo Silva, Ibrahima Konate, Carlos Espi, Denzel Dumfries, and Yan Diomande. All will be introduced in the same format: closed-door events, without fans or media, attended only by club executives and those close to the individual being presented.

Subsequent presentations will take place in the coming days, with the first new signing introduced today, 19/8. On 21/8, Mourinho will hold his first press conference as Real coach, before an away match against Espanyol in the opening round of La Liga.

Hong Duy (Source: Marca, AS).