Mourinho’s comeback puts Real Madrid’s discipline on trial

Jose Mourinho will oversee his first pre‑season since returning as Real Madrid head coach in the coming weeks, marking his comeback to the Bernabeu 13 years after his initial spell ended. The Portuguese manager inherits a side that has not lifted a major trophy since the 2023‑24 Champions League, won over two years ago. Mourinho’s return to Real Madrid was announced after a 13‑year gap since his first tenure at the club ended. The Bernabeu will host his first pre‑season preparations, giving him a chance to shape the squad ahead of the new campaign. Since the 2023‑24 Champions League triumph, Real Madrid have finished comfortably second to Barcelona in La Liga. In Europe, the club was eliminated at the quarter‑final stage by Arsenal on one occasion and by Bayern Munich on another.

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Club president Florentino Perez has turned to Mourinho in response to the lack of recent silverware. Perez believes the Portuguese manager can restore discipline and ambition to a side that cannot afford another trophy‑free season. Former Real Madrid striker Joselu Mato voiced his support for Mourinho on Iker Casillas’ ‘Bajo los palos’ podcast. Mato said, "Mourinho is a coach with a lot of character, with ideas that Madrid need because they need a change and he is a coach who has what it takes to put people in their place." He added that the veteran’s authority could be decisive in the dressing‑room.

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The previous 12 months under Xabi Alonso and Alvaro Arbeloa highlighted the importance of managing a dressing‑room full of big egos. Their tenure underscored Real Madrid’s need for a manager capable of imposing discipline. Pressure now mounts on Mourinho to deliver tangible results for Real Madrid. The club’s progress will be judged over the coming months as the new pre‑season unfolds.