Jose Mourinho will return as Real Madrid manager for the 2026-27 season if Florentino Perez wins the club’s presidential election on Sunday.

Perez’s campaign team made the official announcement late on Wednesday evening via a short social media video.

The brief clip featured the Portuguese tactician smiling in a Real Madrid shirt and saying “yes” to confirm the agreement.

Rebuilding a struggling superpower

Real Madrid have endured a difficult period on the pitch, failing to win a major trophy in their last two campaigns.

Recent managers Carlo Ancelotti, Xabi Alonso and Alvaro Arbeloa have all been unable to extract the maximum from a star-studded squad.

Perez believes the two-time Champions League-winning manager is the ideal candidate to oversee a new era at the Bernabeu.

The presidential incumbent highlighted the world-class talent currently available in the Spanish capital, including Kylian Mbappe and Jude Bellingham.

“A good coach, with these players, is going to make another very important era in Real Madrid history.”

Election battle heats up

The confirmation of the former Chelsea and Inter Milan boss arrives just days before club members cast their deciding votes.

Perez is facing fierce competition from businessman Enrique Riquelme for the club presidency.

Riquelme was appearing live on Spanish television to pledge the signing of striker Erling Haaland when news of the managerial appointment broke.

The rival candidate admitted the move caught him by surprise but acknowledged the veteran tactician’s pedigree.

Should Perez secure re-election this weekend, the self-styled ‘Special One’ will officially begin his second stint in the Spanish capital.

Graham Potter has successfully guided Sweden to the 2026 World Cup following a dramatic play-off victory against Poland, completing a remarkable four-month turnaround.

The former Chelsea manager replaced Jon Dahl Tomasson last October in the wake of a disastrous initial qualifying campaign.

Despite early setbacks in dead-rubber matches against Switzerland and Slovenia, the English tactician meticulously planned for a final salvation attempt via the Nations League play-offs.

Building a cohesive unit in record time

Unlike club management, the international arena afforded the 48-year-old just 48 hours on the training pitch with his squad before crucial fixtures.

Recognising the impossibility of implementing complex tactical systems in such a short window, the head coach instead focused entirely on squad unity and pragmatic winning strategies.

He spent the four months leading up to the March play-offs travelling across Europe to conduct face-to-face meetings with key squad members.

This exhaustive schedule included visiting midfielder Jesper Karlstrom in Italy and spending time with Tottenham Hotspur forward Dejan Kulusevski in London.

‘The best night of my career’

The rigorous preparation paid dividends when the Scandinavian nation overcame Poland to secure their ticket to the tournament in North America.

In the jubilant post-match dressing room, a visibly emotional Potter gathered his squad to celebrate the monumental achievement.

“Look at this, this is a f****** team.”

He subsequently declared to his victorious players that they were finally heading back to football’s most prestigious tournament.

Speaking from his London management offices just days before departing for the competition, the manager reflected on the unique challenges of his demanding role.

“The reality is that you have two days to prepare for a game. It doesn’t matter what you think or your ideas.”
“What matters is getting the players on the pitch that have the best chance of winning a game of football… there’s not too much else to think about.”

Potter’s pragmatic shift from his usually expansive playing style has ultimately resurrected a national team that had previously looked devoid of hope.

Newcastle United have agreed a £25m deal to sign 20-year-old Reims goalkeeper Ewen Jaouen on a four-year contract as Eddie Howe begins his summer rebuild.

The Magpies moved quickly to secure their first arrival of the transfer window following a disappointing Premier League campaign.

Howe’s side finished 12th in the domestic table and suffered a heavy Champions League last-16 elimination against Barcelona.

Identifying a new number one emerged as a priority after Aaron Ramsdale concluded his loan spell and returned to Southampton.

Top prospect arrives at St James’ Park

Jaouen is widely regarded as one of the most promising young stoppers in world football.

The highly-rated youngster played a crucial role for his former club last season as they reached the promotion playoff final.

Despite an eventual defeat to Metz, the French custodian’s astonishing performances attracted attention from European heavyweights including Chelsea and Real Madrid.

Pope faces fresh competition

The arrival of the highly coveted prospect raises questions over the starting role of Nick Pope.

While the veteran shot-stopper recently saw his contract extended until 2027, there have been lingering concerns regarding his recent form.

Newcastle management are reportedly delighted to have won the race for a player who was previously identified as a potential long-term successor to Thibaut Courtois.

France will face Senegal, Norway and Iraq in Group I of the 2026 World Cup in North America, setting up a highly anticipated ‘group of death’ that features a rematch of the iconic 2002 tournament opener.

A historic rivalry renewed

The draw immediately evokes memories of Seoul 24 years ago, where the African nation stunned the reigning champions in a famous opening-game upset.

That fixture will be repeated at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on 16 June to kick off the group schedule.

The Lions of Teranga enter the expanded 48-team tournament boasting a golden generation that has claimed two recent Africa Cup of Nations titles.

Haaland leads Nordic return

The presence of the Scandinavian side elevates the quartet into genuine blockbuster territory.

They are making their first appearance on the global stage since 1998.

Manchester City striker Erling Haaland will spearhead their attack, hoping to inspire a talented crop of players to unprecedented heights.

Iraq complete the incredibly challenging four-team group, beginning their campaign against the Norwegians in Foxborough.

Deschamps begins final farewell

For Les Bleus, the campaign represents the end of an era under manager Didier Deschamps.

The 56-year-old will step down after the tournament, having previously guided his country to glory in 2018 and another final appearance four years later in Qatar.

He will have to navigate the tournament without the retired Antoine Griezmann, while Real Madrid midfielder Eduardo Camavinga is a notable omission from the squad.

Instead, a 35-year-old N’Golo Kante will be trusted to anchor the midfield alongside Aurelien Tchouameni.

Attacking firepower

The two-time world champions boast an incredibly gifted frontline, eager to improve on a surprisingly blunt showing at Euro 2024.

Kylian Mbappe and Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembele will be supported by a new wave of creative talent including Desire Doue and Michael Olise.

If the French setup can find the right balance, their formidable attack could prove irresistible to their group rivals.

Thomas Tuchel will lead England against Croatia, Panama and Ghana in Group L of the 2026 World Cup across North America as they look to end a 60-year wait for a major trophy.

The Three Lions begin their campaign with a crucial opening fixture against 2018 runners-up Croatia in Arlington on 17 June.

Winning the group is heavily incentivised to avoid a potential round-of-16 clash with tournament favourites Spain.

A rematch of the heartbreaking semi-final defeat in Russia eight years ago offers the European Championship finalists an immediate opportunity for early redemption.

Familiar foes and a 60-year burden

The newly appointed German manager is tasked with finally completing the foundational work established by his predecessor Gareth Southgate.

It has been six decades since the national team’s solitary global triumph, a statistic that looms large over the current generation.

Despite an impeccable qualification record featuring eight consecutive clean sheets, questions remain regarding their ability to handle the intense North American heat.

Captain Harry Kane arrives at the tournament as Europe’s most prolific forward over the preceding 12 months to lead the attacking line.

Testing fixtures against Panama and Ghana

Following their opening test, the squad travels to Foxborough to face the Black Stars on 23 June.

The West African nation are currently in a transitional phase and have struggled to replicate the formidable form that saw them reach the 2010 quarter-finals.

The group stage concludes against Los Canaleros in East Rutherford on 27 June.

While the Central American side present a more resilient tactical setup than previous iterations, memories of a comprehensive 6-1 victory at the 2018 tournament will provide significant encouragement.

Group L schedule

Arsenal striker Viktor Gyokeres has shaken off a concerning tackle to score in Sweden’s 2-2 pre-World Cup friendly draw with Greece.

The recent Premier League champion went down under a clumsy second-half challenge from Panagiotis Retsos.

Replays showed his right foot caught awkwardly between the Greek defender’s legs, prompting immediate fears of a serious tournament-ending setback.

Scare quickly put to rest

However, the Gunners talisman recovered to play on and subsequently netted a 30-yard deflected free-kick shortly after the interval.

His equaliser cancelled out an opening strike from former Liverpool full-back Kostas Tsimikas.

Gustaf Nilsson briefly gave Graham Potter’s side the lead, before a 95th-minute Giorgos Masouras goal denied the Scandinavians a morale-boosting victory.

World Cup campaign beckons

Surviving the friendly unscathed is a significant relief for a Swedish team heavily reliant on their attacking talent.

The prolific frontman is expected to form a potent partnership with Liverpool forward Alexander Isak at the upcoming tournament in North America.

They begin their Group F campaign against Tunisia on 15 June, before facing pivotal clashes with the Netherlands and Japan.

The forward heads into his first major international tournament boasting an impressive record of 20 goals in 33 international caps.

Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice and Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes headline the six-man shortlist for the Men’s PFA Players’ Player of the Year award.

The prestigious accolade will be contested by three players from the recently crowned Premier League champions, alongside two Manchester City stars and the Portuguese playmaker.

Gabriel Magalhaes and goalkeeper David Raya join their Gunners team-mate on the ballot after proving integral to ending the North London club’s two-decade wait for top-flight glory.

Fernandes targets individual treble

The Red Devils skipper presents formidable opposition for the Arsenal trio as he seeks to add another major individual honour to his collection.

He has already secured both the Premier League Player of the Season and the Football Writers’ Association Footballer of the Year awards following an outstanding individual campaign.

Meanwhile, the blue half of Manchester is represented by a pair of formidable attacking talents who recently secured a domestic cup double.

Cherki and Haaland fly flag for City

Erling Haaland earns his nomination after an incredible goalscoring run, netting 38 times across all competitions for the domestic cup winners.

Rayan Cherki completes the six-man list following a scintillating debut season that saw the dynamic forward take English football’s premier division by storm.

Real Madrid president Florentino Perez has confirmed the club will submit a record-breaking €150m offer for a mystery midfielder or forward next week, with Spanish media linking Paris St-Germain duo Vitinha and Joao Neves.

The 79-year-old made the transfer announcement while campaigning for re-election against rival Enrique Riquelme.

Voting takes place this weekend, with the long-serving Bernabeu chief heavily favoured to retain his position.

Election rivalry sparks transfer promises

The battle for the presidency escalated when Riquelme promised to sign Manchester City striker Erling Haaland if elected.

The 37-year-old challenger posed with a replica shirt bearing the Norwegian international’s name, prompting the English champions to reportedly threaten legal action.

Refusing to take victory for granted, the current president dismissed his rival’s pledge as a bluff.

He instead used an appearance on Spanish television to outline his own spectacular recruitment plans.

“On Tuesday, I will make a major offer to a Champions League club for a great player,” Perez told Spanish broadcaster Horizonte.
“It would be the largest transfer fee Real Madrid has ever paid in its history. It would be around €150 million.”

Premier League targets ruled out

The veteran administrator provided specific clues regarding the identity of his marquee target.

He explicitly denied moves for high-profile Premier League talent.

“It isn’t Michael Olise, he’s a great player, but it isn’t Olise. It isn’t Jeremy Doku, it isn’t Haaland and it isn’t Harry Kane,” he added.
“It’s a player who plays from the midfield, or further forwards, and he isn’t a Premier League player.”

The incumbent leader described his target as a total Galactico on the exact same prestige level as former club icons Cristiano Ronaldo and Kaka.

PSG duo emerge as leading contenders

Widespread speculation initially suggested moves for Bayern Munich playmaker Jamal Musiala or Barcelona prospect Lamine Yamal.

However, Spanish radio station El Partidazo de COPE reports the shortlist has been conclusively narrowed to just two candidates.

Portugal internationals Vitinha and Joao Neves are believed to be the exclusive focus of the impending mega-bid.

Both players have established themselves as elite midfield operators in the French capital over recent seasons.

They also share a nationality with returning manager Jose Mourinho, further fuelling rumours of a major squad overhaul in the Spanish capital.