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In an unusual ceremony closed to the media and fans, Real Madrid officially presented coach José Mourinho on Tuesday.
The event was held at the club's headquarters in Madrid, where president Florentino Pérez welcomed the coach.
The only footage of the presentation was broadcast by Real Madrid TV and via the club's website and social media accounts.
“I am one of you,” Mourinho stated in a message to fans in a video released by the club. “I have always been since I left, and now that I have this responsibility again, you can imagine what it means to me... It is like coming home.”
Madrid reported that the coach signed for three seasons, until June 30, 2029.
After signing, Madrid indicated that Mourinho received a replica of the stadium, a watch, and a jersey with his name on it.
Madrid underwent a renovation after a second consecutive season without a major title. In addition to Mourinho, who replaced Álvaro Arbeloa, the club also brought in players such as Marc Cucurella, Ibrahima Konaté, Denzel Dumfries, Bernardo Silva, and Yan Diomande.
Kylian Mbappé, Vinícius Júnior, and Jude Bellingham will once again lead the squad as it attempts to prevent Barcelona from winning a third consecutive La Liga title.
The club hired Mourinho in June, and he officially took charge in July at the start of the preseason.
He returns for a second stint with Madrid, some 13 years after leaving the club. He was in charge between 2010 and 2013 and won the Spanish league and a Copa del Rey. He was remembered most for his confrontational personality, which ended up dividing his own squad and alienating everyone except the most die-hard fans, as well as a large part of the local media.
[Publicidad]