Mourinho skips welcome ceremony and heads to Real Madrid training

Jose Mourinho flew from Lisbon to Madrid on Wednesday afternoon to finalise his return to Real Madrid on a three-year contract. He plans to head straight to the club's training ground and will forego a press conference or welcoming ceremony until his contract formally begins in July.

Real Madrid cleared the way for the 63-year-old after parting company with Alvaro Arbeloa, allowing Mourinho to bring five coaching staff members with him. Arbeloa, who replaced Xabi Alonso in January, oversaw 28 games, winning 18 and losing two; Madrid finished eight points behind Barcelona, were knocked out by Bayern Munich in the Champions League quarter-finals and lost to Albacete in the Copa del Rey last-16, Arbeloa's first match in charge.

Benfica have appointed Marco Silva after confirming the €15 million approach from Madrid to activate Mourinho's release clause. After emerging victorious against Enrique Riquelme on Sunday, Florentino Perez immediately confirmed the re-appointment.

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