Real Madrid have decided to go back to a familiar figure, with José Mourinho agreeing a deal to return as head coach 13 years after leaving the club.
The former Chelsea and Manchester United manager is set to sign a two-year contract, with an option for a further year, as Madrid look to restore order after a disappointing campaign.
Mourinho’s second spell at Real Madrid comes after a season that ended without silverware and was overshadowed by off-field issues.
An official announcement is expected after the club’s final game of the season against Athletic Club, with Mourinho then set to be unveiled in Spain in the following days.
The Portuguese coach had been managing Benfica, who have finished the season in third in an unbeaten league campaign, and will reportedly bring four members of his coaching staff with him to the Santiago Bernabéu.
A release clause in his contract allows him to leave for £2.6m.
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Questions over Mourinho return
Not everyone is convinced Mourinho is the right appointment for Madrid at this stage.
Speaking on Sky Sports, Jamie Carragher questioned the decision.
“He’s managed some of the greatest football clubs in the world and has made a success of it. Whether he is the right man to fix a dressing room, I don’t know,” said Carragher.
“It’s a strange one, but it tells you where the world is in terms of big name managers of the past. For Real Madrid to go back to Jose Mourinho tells you there’s not that quality out there.”
Carragher also suggested Madrid’s approach to appointing managers differs from clubs in England.
“When Real Madrid appoint managers, they don’t do it the way we do in this country. The vision is for them to be here for three or four years. It doesn’t always work out like that, but that is the idea.”
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Major tasks already waiting
Sky Sports chief correspondent Kaveh Solhekol believes Mourinho will walk into a difficult situation.
“They say you should never go back, but after 13 years, Jose Mourinho is returning to Real Madrid. The big question is, why is he going back? The simple answer is you cannot say no to Real Madrid.”
He also pointed to immediate challenges involving key players.
“What are the major issues that Jose Mourinho will have to deal with? Firstly, he has to sort out his relationship with Vinicius Junior.”
Madrid are hoping Mourinho’s return can steady the club and bring success back to the Bernabeu.
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SportJustSport writers 
Ella Magyar