Jose Mourinho is poised to make a sensational return to Real Madrid after agreeing a contract that will keep him at the Bernabéu until 2028.
The 63-year-old is set to take charge of the Spanish giants for a second time, more than a decade after his first spell in Madrid came to an end.
According to Fabrizio Romano, Mourinho has accepted a two-year deal and will replace Álvaro Arbeloa following a disappointing second half of the season.
Arbeloa stepped into the role in January after Xabi Alonso departed, but failed to convince club president Florentino Pérez that he was the right man to lead the club forward.
Real won 15 of Arbeloa's 25 matches in charge, drawing twice and losing eight times.
The final straw came last weekend when Madrid were beaten 2-0 by Barcelona, a result that handed their fiercest rivals the LaLiga title and condemned Los Blancos to a trophyless campaign.
Pérez is now turning to one of the most decorated and charismatic managers on the planet in a bid to restore Real to the summit of European football.
Jose Mourinho is poised to make a sensational return to Real Madrid after agreeing a contract that will keep him at the Bernabéu until 2028
|GETTY
Mourinho remains one of the most successful coaches in the club's modern history.
During his first stint between 2010 and 2013, he delivered the LaLiga title, the Copa del Rey and the Supercopa de España.
His 2011-12 side amassed a then-record 100 points in the league and broke Barcelona's domestic dominance under Pep Guardiola.
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Mourinho had emerged as the leading candidate to take over, despite speculation linking a host of other elite managers with the vacancy.
Jürgen Klopp, Mauricio Pochettino, Julian Nagelsmann, Didier Deschamps and Massimiliano Allegri were all reportedly considered, but Mourinho is believed to have been the only coach to hold formal talks with the club.
The Portuguese tactician will return to Madrid after a short spell with Benfica, where he took charge in September.
Although Benfica remained unbeaten in the league under Mourinho, a series of 11 draws prevented them from securing the Portuguese title.
Mourinho's appointment comes at a turbulent time for Real both on and off the pitch.
Jose Mourinho retains a close relationship with Real Madrid chief Florentino Perez despite his sacking in 2013
| GETTYIn addition to their disappointing campaign, tensions within the dressing room have reportedly boiled over.
Federico Valverde was taken to hospital earlier this month after a training ground clash with Aurélien Tchouaméni left him with head trauma.
The pair had also been involved in a separate altercation the previous day and were subsequently fined by the club.
Real hope Mourinho's return will restore order and provide the winning mentality required to launch another era of success in the Spanish capital.