José Mourinho named Real Madrid coach 13 years after first stint - ESPN

Real Madrid have confirmed the appointment of José Mourinho for a second spell as the club's coach after ratifying the departure of Álvaro Arbeloa.

The Spanish club confirmed in a statement on Thursday that Mourinho has signed a three-year contract at the Bernabéu.

Mourinho, 63, returns to the Spanish club after a season in charge of Benfica, who had confirmed on Wednesday Madrid were willing to pay the €15 million compensation to release him from his contract in Portugal.

Madrid president Florentino Pérez had made bringing back Mourinho, who left the club in 2013, one of his re-election promises ahead of his victory in last weekend's vote of club members.

Pérez also pledged the signings of Ibrahima Konaté and Denzel Dumfries, as well as vowing to make a €150 million bid for a 'Galáctico' signing.

To honour that vow, Madrid announced earlier this week they had offered €150m for Atlético Madrid striker Julián Álvarez, which was subsequently knocked back.

Mourinho returns to Madrid with the task of getting the team back on track after back-to-back trophy-less seasons under first Carlo Ancelotti and then Xabi Alonso and Arbeloa.

The Portuguese coach was last in charge of Madrid between 2010 and 2013, winning one LaLiga title, a Copa del Rey and a Spanish Supercopa. He also reached three Champions League semifinals.

Since he was last at the Bernabéu he has coached Chelsea, Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur, Roma, Fenerbahçe and Benfica.

— How many trophies did José Mourinho win at Real Madrid, and how many has he won since?
— Real Madrid Keep or Dump: With Mourinho in charge, who stays put?
— Can Mourinho win again at Real Madrid after 13 years away?

It has been four years since he last won a trophy — the Conference