Jose Mourinho has returned to Real Madrid determined to rebuild the club’s work ethic and unity, with the Portuguese coach presenting a noticeably less confrontational image than during his first spell at the Bernabeu.
Real have turned back to the 61-year-old after two turbulent seasons, which began with the final campaign of Carlo Ancelotti’s celebrated tenure and were followed by another chaotic year that badly undermined the head coach’s position. Confidence in Xabi Alonso evaporated quickly, while Alvaro Arbeloa was unable to halt the slide.
Spanish newspaper Marca reports that the club have sought out a familiar figure to restore order and reinforce the authority of the coaching staff, something the board believes has been eroded in recent years. Fourteen seasons after his departure, the “Special One” is back – though those who know him best say this is a slightly different version.
High demands, same intensity – but a different tone
Those who have worked with Mourinho over a long period insist his core footballing principles are largely unchanged. He remains obsessive about detail, relentlessly demanding and heavily involved in day‐to‐day work, with an overriding objective of re‐establishing a strong work culture and bringing the dressing room together.
In his first stint, the key word was to “impose” his style, a hardline approach that led to repeated clashes with influential figures of that era. This time, people close to him believe he is actively seeking greater harmony inside the club.
“I want to create a culture of work, responsibility and ambition, and something I know very well, which is the responsibility and honour of working for Real Madrid,” Mourinho said on the club’s official channels after his return was confirmed. “I really like this concept. It’s not about working at Real Madrid, it is about working for Real Madrid. And with this spirit driven by this mission, I am here.”
Gruelling schedule and focus on the ball
Current squad members at Valdebebas have quickly felt the impact of Mourinho’s methods. During his first week back on the training pitch, three separate days included double sessions. The morning session is scheduled for 10:00, but players begin arriving at the training complex up to two hours earlier in their cars.
Last season, several players were caught speeding on their way to Valdebebas as they rushed to make it on time, underlining the level of punctuality now demanded.
Mourinho is again trying to strike a balance between physical and tactical work, but, as in his previous spell, training remains heavily ball‐oriented. The sessions are not especially long, yet they are described as extremely intense.
His influence is not limited to the pitch. Even before he physically set foot back at Valdebebas, Mourinho had been in detailed discussions with the Real Madrid hierarchy over a range of structural and organisational changes they are considering implementing across the club.
Trust in youth while waiting for full squad
Mourinho is still waiting for his full complement of first‐team players to be available, but in the meantime he has leaned heavily on the club’s academy to pad out training numbers. He is said to be watching the young players closely, keen to identify those he feels can make meaningful contributions across the season.
As in 2010, when he took charge of a star‐studded dressing room, established names and new arrivals alike will be required to prove themselves through their work on the training ground rather than on reputation alone.
Those close to Mourinho insist his passion has not waned. During his early coaching days at Benfica, he was known to sleep next to the training pitch if his family was not in Lisbon, such was his fixation with preparation – an attitude he is understood to have carried with him into this second Madrid tenure.
Softer approach to conflict with the outside world
What appears to have changed most is Mourinho’s stance towards external confrontation. In his first period at Real Madrid he rarely backed away from a dispute, whether with referees, Barcelona or the media, becoming one of the most polarising figures in European football.
Now, people who have spoken to him since his return to the Spanish capital detect a clear shift. They believe he is no longer inclined to wage constant war with the outside world, and that any public battles – particularly with match officials – are unlikely to be as prominent or as frequent as they were during his first three seasons at the club.
Mourinho is described as wanting to start this chapter “from zero”, projecting an image of a coach intent on bringing all departments of the club together behind a single objective rather than defining himself in opposition to rivals or institutions.
Mourinho reflects on personal change
The Portuguese himself acknowledged a personal transformation in an interview with UEFA a year ago, outlining how his priorities have evolved over time.
“In the past, I used to think more about myself, I was more selfish, but I have changed now to the point where I feel more altruistic,” he said.
“I feel that in the world of football I am here to help others more than to help myself. I am here to help the players of my team more than to think about what is going to happen in my life. I think more about the club, I think more about the happiness of the fans than I think about myself.”
For Real Madrid, that shift in emphasis – from confrontation to cohesion, from imposition to alignment – may prove as significant as the tactical and physical demands that have long defined Mourinho’s coaching career.
