Real Madrid have officially announced Jose Mourinho's appointment as their new head coach, bringing the Portuguese tactician back to the Bernabeu more than a decade after his departure.
The 63-year-old has penned terms that will keep him at the Spanish club until 2029.
Mourinho takes over from Alvaro Arbeloa, who confirmed his exit on Wednesday following a caretaker spell.
The club stated that their new manager will commence duties on 13 July, coinciding with the start of pre-season preparations.
Jose Mourinho has joined Real Madrid after his release clause at Benfica was triggered
|REUTERS
This marks a remarkable return for the self-styled Special One, who last occupied the Madrid dugout in 2013.
Madrid triggered a €15 million release clause to secure Mourinho's services from Benfica, as the Portuguese club informed financial regulators earlier this week.
The Spanish giants could have acquired their new manager for considerably less, with a break clause worth approximately €6 million available for ten working days after Benfica's season concluded.
However, this window expired on 29 May, with Madrid unable to act due to their ongoing presidential election.
Florentino Perez, who was re-elected on Sunday, personally championed Mourinho's appointment, according to reports.
Florentino Perez was the main man pushing the Jose Mourinho appointment
|REUTERS
During his initial three-year stint at the Bernabeu between 2010 and 2013, Mourinho claimed three domestic honours for Los Blancos.
His crowning achievement came in the 2011/12 campaign, when Madrid secured the La Liga championship with a record points haul.
The club's fortunes have since taken a downturn, with the current season marking a second consecutive year without major silverware.
Xabi Alonso had been appointed last summer but was dismissed in January, prompting Arbeloa to step into the breach.
The former defender saw out the remainder of the campaign before announcing his departure ahead of the final fixture against Athletic Club.
Marco Silva will succeed Mourinho in Lisbon, having agreed a two-year contract with Benfica that includes an option for a further twelve months.
Jose Mourinho last managed Real Madrid in 2013 where he won three domestic trophies
|GETTY
The Portuguese manager departs Fulham after five seasons at Craven Cottage.
Mourinho is anticipated to bring several members of his Benfica backroom team to Madrid, including assistants Joao Tralhao and Pedro Machado, analyst Roberto Merella, fitness coach Antonio Dias, and goalkeeping coach Nuno Santos.
Nevertheless, the incoming boss remains open to retaining Madrid's existing physical trainer Antonio Pintus and goalkeeping coach Luis Llopis, both of whom enjoy considerable esteem within the club.
Regarding squad strengthening, Mourinho has requested reinforcements at right-back, left-back, centre-back and in creative midfield.
Real Madrid president Florentino Perez was re-elected on Sunday
| GETTYFormer Manchester United striker Louis Saha has spoken out on the appointment and told Real Madrid Galactico flops to expect a complete overhaul in culture.
Speaking via Compare.bet, the Frenchman said: "Real Madrid is a difficult club to manage. When you look at Xabi Alonso, I don't think they were that bad in their performances, but there is such enormous pressure on them.
"Maybe Jose Mourinho is going down there to lay down the rules in the dressing room, it’s not about trying to be better than the other teams tactically, it's about getting the best out of their individuals.
"It’s all about the mental side at that club, Mourinho is the best manager to fix that. I don’t see it as a gamble, he is going in there to stop the philosophy being dominated by a few players.
"Mourinho is not going to change, he is coming with his formula, and that's what they are looking for. So I do think that Florentino Perez knows what he's doing, and I do think that Mourinho is still a terrific manager. I won't be surprised if those guys are winning something next year."