REAL MADRID 4-1 REAL VALLECANO | ENGLISH-DUB | POST-MATCH ANALYSIS

 

JOSÉ MOURINHO REVEALS HE SIGNED CONTRACT TO SUCCEEDED ALEX FERGUSON AT MAN UTD

 

The Portuguese has said in a new Netflix documentary about his life he had agreed to move to Old Trafford in 2013.

José Mourinho has revealed he signed a contract to succeed Alex Ferguson as Manchester United manager in 2013 only to tearfully renege on the deal and return to Chelsea.

The football world was rocked when the Scottish great announced he was retiring having overseen a 13th Premier League title triumph win during a spell of unrivalled dominance at Old Trafford.

United have failed to return to the top of the English game since Ferguson stepped down, with successor David Moyes sacked after only 10 months in charge.

David Moyes did not last long as Alex Ferguson’s successor at Manchester United (Martin Rickett/PA)

Mourinho was later brought in, spending two and a half years in charge from 2016, but revealed in a new Netflix documentary about his life that he had agreed to come earlier.

“I go to Chelsea in 2013 but in that period there is something nobody knows,” the Portuguese said in ‘Mourinho’.

“I think I can say because I don’t hurt anyone with the truth, and I think the objective of this work that we are doing is to tell the truth.

“When I left Real Madrid, I signed with Manchester United to go to Manchester United after .”

Mourinho continued: “I was, of course, very flattered, because Manchester United has an incredible appeal.

“When I say Real Madrid is the biggest club in the world, I have to say that Manchester United is very, very close.

Jose Mourinho celebrates Real Madrid scoring against Ferguson’s United (Martin Rickett/PA)

“But one thing is love for football, and another thing is love for a certain club.

“I think this is more powerful than love for football and, fundamentally, after Real Madrid, I needed to feel that I’m loved.”

Ferguson was one of the footballing figures interviewed for the new documentary and admits he was under the illusion Mourinho was accepting the offer, only for the situation to change in a matter of hours.

“Early evening he phoned me and he was crying,” the United great said. “And he says, ‘Alex, I can’t take it – I’ve given my word to Chelsea, and I’m not going to break my word’.

“The reason he gave to me I could understand, but I was disappointed.”

Mourinho had a strong bond with Chelsea after leading them to two Premier League titles, an FA Cup and two League Cups during an unforgettable first spell.

The Portuguese parked differences with owner Roman Abramovich to return to Stamford Bridge after leaving Real Madrid, winning another league crown and League Cup before being sacked in December 2015.

Mourinho took in two spells as Chelsea boss (John Walton/PA

“For me to lose the chance to be the coach to succeed Alex Ferguson was dramatic, but I don’t regret because it was a decision that I made with my heart,” Mourinho, now back in charge of Real Madrid, said.

“And I think it is nature that says something that when you do something for love, you are never doing anything wrong. I think it’s nature. I did it for love.

“I went back with the feeling of, yes, I go home, but with big responsibility because what I did before is history, and you don’t want to destroy your legacy.”

- Simon Peach

VINICIUS JR AGREEMENT CONFIRMES AS DECISION BETWEEN ARSENAL, REAL MADRID MADE

Vinicius Junior has reached an agreement, with Arsenal and Real Madrid learning who the Brazil superstar will play for next season, according to a report.

On the back of lifting their first Premier League title in over two decades, Arsenal sought to attack the transfer market to help launch a dynasty.

Bruno Guimarães is arriving to the tune of £75m and the Brazilian has passed a medical. Personal terms are already sealed.

However, The Gunners aimed to sign an even higher profile Brazil international in the form of Real Madrid winger, Vinicius Junior.

The 26-year-old is in the final year of his contract at the Bernabeu and Real Madrid have no intention of losing such a highly valuable asset to free agency next summer.

As such, only two outcomes appeared to be in play – Vinicius re-signs at Real or joins Arsenal.

Mikel Arteta’s side made a huge play for Vinicius, with the Spaniard personally contacting the winger to discuss his role at the Emirates.

Arsenal also made it crystal clear they were fully prepared to demolish their wage structure and make Vinicius Junior by far their highest paid player ever.

However, the player’s preference always remained re-signing with Real Madrid. And on Wednesday, a crunch round of talks between he, his agents and the LaLiga giant took place.

While no agreement was struck at that time, Ben Jacobs and Fabrizio Romano were among many more trusted sources to stress Vinicius was now likely to remain a Madridista.

Ben Jacobs wrote on X: ‘Understand Real Madrid are confident this evening that Vinicius Jr will extend after productive talks.’

Fabrizio Romano took to the same platform when stating: ‘Real Madrid are increasingly confident to receive final green light from Vinicius Jr on new contract.

‘New proposal being discussed but Madrid optimistic and Vini Jr’s camp also positive after today’s meeting. José Mourinho also got involved.’

He subsequently added: José Mourinho, personally involved in Vinicius Jr new contract discussions as he’s been pushing for the Brazilian to stay.

‘Real Madrid are confident, José told the club he wants Vini to stay and also told Vini about plans for him to continue.’

Vinicius Junior agrees new contract at Real Madrid

And on Thursday morning, Spanish reporter, Ramon Alvarez de Mon, claimed an agreement has now been struck that will see Vinicius sign a contract extension at the Bernabeu, thus ending Arsenal’s hopes.

The reporter, who boasts over 300,000 followers on X: wrote: ‘Vinicius and Real Madrid reach an agreement for his contract renewal, which is expected to be signed soon.’

Missing out on Vinicius Junior will be a painful blow to Arsenal who have already tried and failed to sign another major name for the left side this summer – Morgan Rogers.

The Gunners could now reignite interest in PSG’s Bradley Barcola, though there could be more heartache for the Gunners.

Barcola is Liverpool’s top target and according to Jacobs, the Frenchman will prioritise signing for Liverpool over Arsenal if both clubs strike a deal with PSG…

- Steve Pearson

JOSÉ MOURINHO WEIGHS IN ON CURRENT FOOTBALL INJUSTICES

 

JOSÉ MOURINHO NAMED NEW REAL MADRID MANAGER - WHAT WILL HE DO TO TURN THINGS AROUND?

 

Jose Mourinho is officially back in charge of Real Madrid, with the Spanish giants announcing he has returned for a second stint in charge at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Mourinho has left Benfica after less than a year in charge to take charge of Real Madrid once again, as he’s signed a three-year contract in the Spanish capital.

The legendary Portuguese coach probably thought this kind of opportunity was long gone after disappointing spells in charge of Tottenham Hotspur and Fenerbahce in recent years. But he steadied the ship impressively at Benfica and Real need his leadership, defensive organization and ability to handle big-name players. As well as his penchant for winning trophies.

Real Madrid released the following statement confirming the arrival of Mourinho.

“The Board of Directors of Real Madrid C.F., meeting today, Thursday, June 11, and presided over by Florentino Perez, has agreed to appoint Jose Mourinho as the first team’s head coach for the next three seasons, until June 30, 2029. Jose Mourinho will join Real Madrid on July 13, the day preseason begins.”

What will Real Madrid ask of Jose Mourinho?

To win. Quite simply that is it.

It doesn’t matter how he does it, Mourinho just has to deliver trophies.

Real Madrid finished without any silverware during the 2025-26 season as Xabi Alonso was fired midway through the campaign and Real limped to the finish line under caretaker boss Alvaro Arbeloa.

They finished a distant second to bitter rivals Barcelona in La Liga and were knocked out of the UEFA Champions League at the quarterfinal stage by Bayern Munich.

All of that led to immense pressure piling on long-time club president Florentino Perez, so he has gone back to an experienced coach who can take the pressure off him.

How can Mourinho turn things around at Real?

Mourinho will go to the Carlo Ancelotti school of man-management to try and get the best out of a hugely talented squad.

Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Junior and Jude Bellingham are quite the superstar trio and Mourinho needs to find a way to get them all clicking together consistently.

On the pitch his first action will be to sort out the defensive unit, which he is great at doing, and then he will go from there.

With Barcelona threatening to become a dynasty under Hansi Flick as they’ve won back-to-back La Liga titles, Mourinho will put all of his focus on closing that gap to Barca.

He got close to doing that in his first spell in charge but Pep Guardiola’s legendary Barcelona side often pipped Mourinho’s Real to most of the major trophies.

But Mourinho did win one La Liga, a Spanish Cup and a Spanish Super Cup in his three years in charge at Real and his hope will be to replicate that feat, at the very least, during his three years in charge.

And we all know how much Mourinho would love to add another Champions League trophy to his personal cabinet, and Real’s obsession with extending their European Cups to 16.

- Joe Prince-Wright

BENFICA CONFIRM €15M JOSÉ MOURINHO SWITCH TO REAL MADRID

Real Madrid will have Jose Mourinho as their new manager, barring a shock U-turn. The Portuguese manager is set to return to the Santiago Bernabeu 13 years after leaving the club, as he again seeks to intervene against a Barcelona that is coming off successive title wins.

For some time, Mourinho has been slated to take over from Alvaro Arbeloa, when it was first reported in late April that President Florentino Perez was pushing for his return. The matter has been delayed by Perez’s decision to call elections, but Perez has continued to make moves despite being midway through elections. On Wednesday night, his campaign channel confirmed Mourinho would be his new manager.

Benfica confirm Real Madrid will pay Mourinho release clause

Image via Angel Martinez/Getty Images

Had Perez decided to move for Mourinho before the 26th of May, he could have signed him for just €3m, yet his release clause has risen since to €15m. As Benfica are on the stock market, they are forced to declare their moves publicly, and have thus announced that Real Madrid have activated Mourinho’s clause. He is to join Los Blancos on a three-year deal.

What happens if Enrique Riquelme wins the elections?

It is expected that Perez will emerge victorious in the elections on Sunday, after which Mourinho will be appointed as the new manager. Yet presidential rival Enrique Riquelme has declared that he is not in favour of having Mourinho as manager, and has another option lined up. It has not been revealed whether that is the case, but it would be no surprise if Mourinho’s contract included a get-out clause in case Perez loses the elections. Were that not to be the case, it would certainly be an uncomfortable.

- Ruairidh Barlow

CHELSEA HAVE NEVER HAD A PERMANENT MANAGER LAST 1,000 DAYS SINCE MOURINHO'S FIRST SPELL

 

JOSÉ MOURINHO TAKES A SWIPE AT JAMIE.CHARRAGHER 😃

 

JOSÉ MOURINHO'S MANAGERIAL JOURNEY

 

HERE WE GO | JOSÉ MOURINHO IS ABOUT TO MANAGE BENFICA

 

JOSÉ MOURINHO HAS HIS OWN WINE | THE SPECIAL ONE

José Mourinho has launched his own wine brand called ‘The Special One’ 🍷🍾 

However consumers are reporting that it has a bad shelf life...

AY 300 PREMIER LEAGUE GAMES PEP EMERGES ON TOP

 

JOSÉ MOURINHO BANNED FOR FOUR MATCHES, FINED AFTER TURKISH REFEREES COMMENT

Fenerbahce manager Jose Mourinho has been given a four-match ban and fined by the Turkish Football Federation following his comments about Turkish referees after a match at Galatasaray on Monday

Fenerbahce coach Jose Mourinho. File. | Photo Credit: Reuters

Fenerbahce manager Jose Mourinho was given a four-match ban and fined by the Turkish Football Federation following his comments about Turkish referees after a match at Galatasaray.

- The Hindu Times

ICARDI THROWS A JAB AT JOSÉ MOURINHO

 

A FINE GENERATION OF COACHES FROM PORTUGAL

 

JOSÉ MOURINHO ON 115 MAN CITY CHARGES: JUST WANT 'JUSTICE'

TURIN, Italy -- José Mourinho has hit back at Pep Guardiola's claim that he wants to see Manchester City relegated to League One by saying he only wants "justice in football."

Fenerbahce coach Mourinho, who built a fierce rivalry with then-Barcelona boss Guardiola during his time in charge of Real Madrid between 2010 and 2013, reignited hostilities with Guardiola by saying he won three Premier League titles "fairly and cleanly" after the City manager had responded to taunts from Liverpool supporters by raising six fingers to signify the number of titles he has won at the Etihad.

Guardiola then said that Mourinho's comments were rooted in him being "on a huge list that they want the team [City] being in, I don't know, League One or the Conference" if the club loses its battle against 115 charge of breaking Premier League financial rules.

But speaking ahead of Fenerbahce's Europa League tie against Athletic Bilbao, former Chelsea and Manchester United manager Mourinho said that his comments were only made because he wants to see fairness.

"It's not true that I want Man City to be relegated," Mourinho said. "It's true that I like justice, and many times small clubs are punished by going €5, €10 over budget and the rules for Financial Fair Play.

"For example, I suffered in Roma three years with great limitations about it. I don't think it's fair that the big sharks - when I say sharks, I say financial sharks -- they always find a way to escape the rules.

"I'm just a football man, a man that loves football, more than being a professional football man I am very passionate, I just like justice in football. But apart from that, no bad feelings."

José Mourinho has been in a war of words with Man City boss Pep Guardiola this month. Ahmad Mora/Getty Images

Guardiola was not asked about Mourinho's comments during his pre-match news conference ahead of Wednesday's Champions League clash against Juventus in Turin.

But Mourinho attempted to play down suggestions of a new rift with Guardiola by saying there are "no problems" between the two men.

"In relation to Pep, let me say something -- we were together for three years [at Barcelona]," Mourinho said. "I was an assistant and he was a player.

"I like him a lot and he knows that. He likes me and I know that, there are no problems between us. One thing are words and another thing is deep feelings."

Meanwhile, Guardiola said he is unlikely to manage another club side when he leaves City after recently signing a new contract until 2027 at the Etihad.

"I won't coach another team," Guardiola told Dani Garcia's Desmontadito YouTube show. "I'm not talking about the long-term future, but what I won't do is leave Manchester City to go to another country and do the same thing I'm doing now.

"I won't have the energy. Maybe with a national team, but that's different, it's not every day, every three days.

"But right now, no. I'm right here. "

- Mark Ogden, Senior Writer, ESPN FC

TURKISH CLUB FENERBHCE ANNOUNCE JOSÉ MOURINHO AS MANAGER

Mourinho was at Wembley on Saturday for the Champions League final. Richard Sellers/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images

 Former Real Madrid boss José Mourinho will be unveiled as the new coach of Turkish Super Lig team Fenerbahce later on Sunday, the club said.

Following days of strong indications that Mourinho was to take charge, the Istanbul club said in a post on X early on Sunday that the Portuguese manager was to attend a ceremony at their Sukru Saracoglu ground.

"Saracoglu is waiting for its new coach Jose Mourinho and its great fans at 19.00!," the post reads.

On Saturday night, Fenerbahce posted a video message from Mourinho, 61, in which he told Fenerbahce fans he would "see you tomorrow in Kadikoy and let's start our journey together."

It's Mourinho's first job since he left Roma in January after two and a half years marked by winning the Europa Conference League in 2022 and a series of disputes with referees.

The Portuguese has not worked outside of the top five European leagues since 2004, when he left Porto after winning the Champions League and joined Chelsea, which was on the rise under then-owner Roman Abramovich.

Since then he has also coached Inter Milan, Madrid, Manchester United and Tottenham in a career filled with trophies and off-field controversy.

Fenerbahce finished second to fierce rival Galatasaray in the Turkish league this season and clashed with the Turkish soccer authorities, including by taking its team off the field in the Turkish Super Cup game in protest.

- Associated Press 

ROMA FIRE JOSE MOURINHO; DANIELE DE ROSSIIN AS INTERIM

José Mourinho has been sacked by AS Roma after joining the club in May 2021. Photo by Ivan Romano/Getty Images

José Mourinho has left Serie A side Roma with immediate effect, the team announced on Tuesday, hiring club legend Serie A as his interim replacement until the end of the season.

Mourinho's contract was up at the end of the season but, following their 3-1 defeat to AC Milan on Sunday and with the club in ninth in Serie A, the owners and the manager have parted ways.

It brings an end to Mourinho's spell at the club, which started in May 2021 and saw him win the Europa Conference League title in 2022 and reach the Europa League final last season.

"We would like to thank José on behalf of all of us at Roma for his passion and efforts since his arrival at the club," said owners Dan and Ryan Friedkin.

"We will always have great memories of his tenure at Roma, but we believe that an immediate change is in the best interests of the club. We wish Jose and his assistants all the best in their future endeavours."

ONCE UPON A TIME IN BARCELONA! | LOUIS ENRIQUE | JOSÉ MOURINHO | PEP GUARDIOLA