Today marked the eagerly anticipated image of José Mourinho’s return to Real Madrid, signifying the commencement of the first day of his second life, or indeed, his second part, at the club. Mourinho, with the unmistakable Real Madrid crest emblazoned upon his chest, was visibly present at Valdebebas, confirming his official comeback 13 years after his initial departure. This return represents an opportunity for him to ‘go back to begin again’ and ‘to be again’ in the revered role. During his time at the training complex, he personally stepped onto the hallowed turf, meticulously visited the club’s extensive facilities, and warmly greeted various members of the staff. While he has been conducting remote meetings with his technical staff for several weeks, today marked the significant moment when these interactions occurred in person, a format that is set to continue for the next three years, as formally stipulated by his signed agreement, heralding a truly new era for the team.
Dressed in the club’s distinctive fuchsia kit, an equipación for this current season that has already generated considerable discussion, Mourinho was observed walking through the Ciudad Deportiva. This public appearance comes almost precisely a month after the official confirmation of his return, which occurred on 11th June, meaning today marks 30 days since that announcement. In front of the club’s cameras, the manager presented himself with an upright posture and conveyed a clear sense of enthusiasm for the task ahead. Furthermore, he displayed a notably more composed and tranquil tone, a demeanour described as having been cultivated during his recent period in Lisbon, indicating the perceived emergence of a ‘Mourinho 2.0‘.
Mourinho’s Mission and Philosophy
In his initial public statements since returning, Mourinho asserted that “words are not enough… because it is like a mission.” He was clear that his approach was not rooted in self-concern or preoccupation with personal outcomes, whether he might win “much or little.” Instead, his declared purpose is to “help everyone to be better,” encompassing both the players and the wider staff within the club structure. He aims to “create a culture of work, of responsibility, ambition,” and to instil “something that I know well,” which he identified as “the responsibility and the honour of working for the Real Madrid.” Mourinho specifically expressed his strong appreciation for this particular concept, highlighting its importance to his philosophy.
He then delivered one of his most potent and impactful declarations, drawing a crucial distinction in his role. Mourinho stated: “It is not working in Real Madrid, it is working for Real Madrid.” This powerful differentiation, he explained, is central to his presence, reiterating that it is “with this spirit of mission” that he has chosen to be at the club.
Extensive Preparations and Transfer Influence
Addressing his backroom team and the ongoing preparations for the pre-season, Mourinho confirmed that “we are working a lot.” He made it explicit that his physical arrival today does not signify the initiation of all work, but rather the continuation of intensive efforts already in progress. He detailed that “we have been working a lot for a long time with the club’s structure at different levels.” Mourinho also underscored the efficacy of contemporary methods, explaining that “today you can work without being here, because technology helps us a lot.” Consequently, his presence today was, in effect, to “control” all the tasks that have already been accomplished and everything that still requires attention before the season commences.
It is a verifiable reality that Mourinho has been deeply and actively involved in the project for several weeks preceding his official in-person return. Moreover, his influence has been undeniably “determinant in the four signings made to date,” clearly demonstrating his significant impact on the initial shaping of the squad’s composition for the upcoming campaign.
New Coaching Team Takes Shape
Mourinho was accompanied by the individuals who will constitute his new technical staff, a group largely composed of the same personnel from his previous period at Benfica. However, a specific and interesting nuance has been introduced with the appointment of Sami Khedira. Khedira will assume an assistant role, mirroring the function performed by Aitor Karanka during Mourinho’s first tenure, serving as a key figure with a past at the club who can remain close to the players.
João Tralhão has been designated as Mourinho’s right-hand man, a figure who is already familiar to the club’s press, having notably spoken in the Bernabéu press room last season when Mourinho was serving a sanction. Pedro Machado will complement this by acting as his left-hand assistant, thereby completing the core of the principal assistants within the staff structure. This comprehensive team further includes Roberto Merella as an analyst, Nuno Santos as the goalkeeping coach, and António Dias as the physical trainer. It has also been explicitly confirmed that Pintus will continue in his established role, maintaining continuity within the fitness department.
Looking ahead to the immediate future, Mourinho stressed the crucial importance of utilising “the next two weeks with positivity,” articulating his strong desire to have “all the players here” at the club during this period. He emphasised the mutual benefit of this time, stating that it is now imperative for him to “get to know the lads I’m going to work with and for them to have the opportunity to get to know me.” Furthermore, he noted that a significant number of players would be involved with the Castilla squad during the pre-season, indicating his personal interest in actively participating and contributing to the development and growth of this vital area within the club. This comprehensive involvement marks the definitive and committed start of his new chapter at the helm of Real Madrid.