Real Madrid officially presented Portuguese coach José Mourinho today as the club’s new manager, in an unusual ceremony held behind closed doors.
The public was only able to follow the presentation through several images broadcast by Real Madrid’s official channel.
“I’m back home. Real Madrid is the pinnacle of a coach’s career. It feels like coming home, and it is even better than the first time I came here. I am one of you. Since the day I left, I have always been one of you. Working for Real Madrid is something extraordinary,” said the Portuguese as he stood alongside president Florentino Pérez, signing his contract and posing for a photograph with a shirt bearing his name.
This is the first presentation in a summer that has brought six new players to the club, in addition to coach Mourinho.
Every new arrival will follow the same format: the ceremonies will be held behind closed doors, without fans or media, with only club officials and people close to the new arrival present in the room.
These ceremonies will continue over the coming days.
The presentation of the first player is scheduled for Wednesday, while Mourinho will hold his first press conference as Real Madrid coach on Friday. He will then travel to Barcelona, where he will manage his first league match against Espanyol on Saturday.
Mourinho has signed a three-season contract with Real Madrid, running until June 30, 2029.
The coach’s presentation took place at Real Madrid City, where Florentino Pérez welcomed Mourinho.
After signing the contract, Mourinho was presented with a replica of the Real Madrid stadium, a watch, and a shirt bearing his name.
The club’s honorary president, José Martínez Pirri, was also present at the ceremony, according to the brief announcement published on the club’s official website.
