Jose Mourinho marked his official return to the Real Madrid press room at Valdebebas on Friday, delivering a calm 43-minute conference ahead of his side's La Liga opener against Espanyol.
The Portuguese manager arrived on time and addressed reporters calmly, reflecting on his return to the bench thirteen years after his first appointment at the Spanish club.
Asked what advice his current self would give to the manager who led Real Madrid in 2013, Mourinho explained that today's Mourinho can advise the younger version, comparing the dynamic to a father advising his son. He noted that maintaining composure is much easier now than it was five or ten years ago. While acknowledging he might still receive two or three red cards per season, he pointed out that a match week consists of only four and a half hours of football alongside many more hours where calmness must be maintained. He declared he is in better condition now than when he first arrived or left Madrid.
Turning his focus to Saturday's fixture against Espanyol at 21:30, Mourinho described the opposition as a well-prepared side with good dynamics, strong play, and ambition. He noted that Espanyol won their opening match to secure three points and delight their supporters. Mourinho affirmed that Real Madrid have studied their opponents thoroughly and will travel with the conviction of securing all three points.
Squad Depth and Rotation Strategy
Mourinho declined to reveal his starting lineup for the opening game, lightheartedly suggesting journalists see who has the best media contacts to leak it. He confirmed that the squad already knows who will start, but insisted there will be no fixed or unchangeable ideal starting eleven throughout the campaign.
With Real Madrid entering a period featuring matches every three days, Mourinho emphasized the necessity of squad rotation. He cited full-backs Trent Alexander-Arnold, Denzel Dumfries, Marc Cucurella, and Alvaro Carreras as prime examples, stating that no player should expect to feature in 60 games while another plays only 10.
Regarding player fitness, Mourinho revealed that pre-season preparation varied significantly, with some squad members completing 36 training sessions while others completed only five. He expressed relief that pre-season friendlies have concluded, stating the team is eager for competitive matches. On the injury front, Brazilian forward Endrick is the only player ruled out due to a minor muscle issue, while midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni continues his recovery process.
Mourinho also announced that three youth academy players, Ciria, Cesteros, and Mario, will feature on the substitutes' bench. He explained that he prefers to work with a maximum first-team roster of 22 players, leaving open spots to motivate academy prospects and show them that the path to the senior team remains open.
Team Discipline and Defensive Responsibilities
Addressing recent statements by defender Ousmane Diomande, who declared he would die on the pitch for his manager, Mourinho joked that he appreciated the sentiment but would prefer the player to be ready to die for Real Madrid. He added that words are easy, but moving from words to action is what matters.
Mourinho praised the attitude of the squad, describing them as committed, united, and eager to improve. He acknowledged that the team is not perfect and that difficulties will inevitably arise during the season. However, he emphasized that commitment must be present in every minute of every match and non-negotiable standards will be strictly enforced.
He urged players to handle frustration maturely, particularly when starting matches on the bench. Mourinho stated that he demands difficult selection decisions rather than easy ones. On tactical organization, he insisted that all eleven players must share defensive duties, whether pressing high up the pitch or dropping into a defensive block, rejecting any system that excuses forwards from defending.
Player Relationships and Transfer Decisions
Addressing lingering debates from previous seasons, Mourinho explained that despite arriving with extensive information from personal contacts and media reports, he chose to start from scratch. He highlighted Aurelien Tchouameni and Federico Valverde as examples, noting he observed normal cooperation and professionalism from day one without needing special interventions.
Mourinho added that team captains are still getting to know him through his daily actions, thanking the squad for helping avoid internal friction. He emphasized that group unity and empathy will be tested when difficult moments arrive later in the season.
On transfer business, Mourinho addressed Real Madrid's unsuccessful attempt to sign Spanish international midfielder Rodri. He stated that the squad does not suffer from a midfield deficit, describing Rodri as the finishing touch to an already capable squad. He expressed total confidence in available options including Tchouameni, Eduardo Camavinga, Bernardo Silva, and Arda Guler.
Managing Star Talent and Trophy Expectations
Mourinho expressed satisfaction regarding Vinicius Junior's decision to remain at Real Madrid, noting that his stay was expected and handled between his representatives and the club. Refusing to rank him against other global stars, Mourinho described Vinicius as one of the best players in the world. He revealed he held a personal conversation with Vinicius, where both agreed they would be happy together this season.
Discussing his attacking options, Mourinho rejected suggestions that Vinicius Junior, Kylian Mbappe, and Jude Bellingham are incompatible. He pointed out that former manager Carlo Ancelotti found the right formula for Vinicius with Brazil, Didier Deschamps for Mbappe with France, and Thomas Tuchel for Bellingham with England. Mourinho acknowledged that his own challenge will be finding the ideal tactical ecosystem for all three stars to perform at their best for the team.
Defining success for the season, Mourinho stated that pragmatism dictates results are what ultimately count. While structural improvements and squad development are important, he made it clear that ending a season without trophies across their three major competitions and one minor tournament cannot be considered a successful campaign for Real Madrid.
Backroom Staff and Return Context
Mourinho also detailed adjustments to his coaching staff, including the appointment of former Real Madrid midfielder Sami Khedira. He explained that joining a new club is challenging, leading him to minimize changes and retain staff with deep ties to the organization, referencing former figures like Xabi Alonso, Alvaro Arbeloa, Esteban Granero, and Luka Modric. Out of seven analysts at the club, Mourinho brought only one analyst and one data specialist to allow existing staff to grow.
Regarding fitness and medical staff, Mourinho noted that goalkeeper coach Llopis departed after possibly making an error, while fitness coach Antonio Pintus integrates smoothly with his varied training methods. Mourinho joked that with a good backroom staff and great players, if the team succeeds, the credit often goes everywhere except the manager.
Mourinho clarified the circumstances surrounding his return to Spain, stating he stayed on the team bus during his previous visit and had no contact with club leadership until Real Madrid approached him with two matches remaining in the league season. In a recent interview, he described his return as a mission driven by affection, adding that he praised Barcelona's recent work under Hansi Flick and Deco while referencing past controversies surrounding the Negreira arbitration case.
