Real Madrid is poised to proceed with the appointment of Jose Mourinho as their new manager, even as the club prepares for an upcoming presidential election.

Contract Agreement and Club Pressure

According to reports from The Athletic, Mourinho has already agreed to a two-year contract, bringing him closer to a dramatic return to the Santiago Bernabeu. The club is eager for a managerial change following a disappointing trophyless season, which has intensified the pressure on the leadership to implement significant changes.

Club president Florentino Perez has been instrumental in facilitating Mourinho's return. The 79-year-old has called for a presidential election on June 7, following the lackluster campaign, and will face competition from businessman Enrique Riquelme. Notably, Riquelme has expressed opposition to Mourinho's return, stating that the Portuguese manager does not align with his long-term vision for the club.

Preparations Underway

Despite the election, Real Madrid is moving forward with plans for Mourinho's appointment, as Perez grows increasingly confident in retaining his position as president. Discussions regarding Mourinho's coaching staff are already underway, and the club is also strategizing for summer transfer activities to bolster the squad ahead of the next season.

Mourinho recently concluded a two-year tenure with Benfica, where he finished the season unbeaten, although the team did not secure the league title. Benfica made efforts to retain him by offering a contract extension, but Mourinho ultimately chose to accept Madrid's overture. He postponed his decision until after Benfica's final match of the season, which ended in a convincing 3-1 victory over Estoril.

Managerial Search and Historical Context

Throughout their search for a new manager, Madrid considered several high-profile candidates, including Mauricio Pochettino, Massimiliano Allegri, Didier Deschamps, and Jurgen Klopp. However, Mourinho emerged as the favored choice. His return to the club evokes memories of his first stint from 2010 to 2013, during which he led Madrid to three domestic trophies, including the iconic 2011/12 La Liga title, where the team set a record points total.

As Real Madrid prepares for this significant managerial shift, all eyes will be on Mourinho's potential impact as he steps back into a role that once brought him considerable success.