José Mourinho has officially returned to Real Madrid, with the club confirming his appointment as first-team coach on June 11, 2026. The Portuguese manager has signed a three-year contract until June 30, 2029, and is set to begin work on July 13 when preseason gets underway.

In his first major interview since returning to the club, given to Vanity Fair, Mourinho presented a calmer and more measured image of himself. However, his competitive nature and winning mentality remain unchanged.

Speaking about Real Madrid, Mourinho emphasized the unique status of the club in world football. "The history of Real Madrid cannot be compared to anyone," he said. He also highlighted what makes the club special, adding: "The white shirt has something magical."

For Mourinho, Real Madrid is defined by far more than its star players. "When we talk about Real Madrid, we talk about history and the heritage of football," he explained, underlining the club's legacy and tradition of success.

One of the main challenges awaiting him in his second spell will be managing Kylian Mbappé. Despite the scrutiny surrounding the French forward, Mourinho made it clear that his priority is understanding the situation before making judgments.

"It's not the time to talk, it's the time to listen," he said. The coach stressed that he first wants to assess matters from within the club before drawing conclusions. "I'm here to help, not to criticize," Mourinho added before offering his assessment of Mbappé: "Mbappé is a phenomenal player, and I'm going to try to help him become even better."

Mourinho also reflected on the memorable Clásicos of his first spell at Real Madrid, when his rivalry with Guardiola helped turn the fixture into a global spectacle. Featuring stars such as Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, those encounters remain among the most iconic matches in football history.

"The world stopped for those matches," Mourinho recalled. Comparing the rivalry to the great tennis battles involving Nadal, Federer, and Djokovic, he added: "It wasn't just Madrid and Barcelona, or just Spain. It was the world."

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