Mourinho says Real Madrid return feels like coming home after 13 years

Jose Mourinho has described his return to Real Madrid as “coming home” after the club confirmed his appointment as manager 13 years after his previous departure.

Mourinho was presented as Real Madrid’s new head coach at a media event on Tuesday evening, marking the start of his second spell in charge of the club.

Speaking to Real Madrid’s own television channel, the Portuguese manager said the emotional significance of his return was even greater than it had been the first time.

“It feels like coming home, and it is even more beautiful than the first time emotionally,” Mourinho said. “I am one of you and, since I left, I have always been one of you and I have remained a Real Madrid supporter.”

Mourinho also described Real Madrid as the highest professional destination available to anyone working in football.

“For me, Real Madrid is the highest destination professionally for any coach,” he said. “It is the furthest anyone can reach, whether as a coach or a player.”

He added that working for the club carried a special responsibility and said he wanted everyone at Real Madrid to understand that principle.

“You can imagine what it means to me to work for Real Madrid, and this is a principle that I want everyone inside the club to follow and feel,” Mourinho said.

The manager has already overseen five friendly matches since returning to the club. Real Madrid have won four of those games and drawn one, with the draw coming against Fiorentina.

Their first competitive fixture of the season will be against Espanyol in the second round of La Liga on Saturday, 22 August.

Mourinho’s return comes 13 years after he left Real Madrid, with the club now placing him back in charge of the team. His comments at Tuesday’s presentation focused on his continuing connection with the club and his belief that managing it represents the highest point a coach can reach professionally.

The former Real Madrid manager said his allegiance to the club had continued after his departure, presenting his return not simply as another managerial appointment but as a reunion with a team he had continued to support.

With five pre-season matches completed under his leadership, Mourinho’s Real Madrid will now prepare for their opening competitive test against Espanyol. Four victories and one draw have been recorded during the friendly schedule, while the meeting with Espanyol will be the club’s first league match of the campaign.