Real Madrid have turned back to Jose Mourinho in an attempt to restore order and success after a turbulent campaign left the Spanish giants without a major trophy for a second consecutive season.
Club president Florentino Perez has reappointed the Portuguese coach, betting that one of football’s most decorated and controversial managers can revive a team that struggled both domestically and in Europe.
Mourinho’s return to the Santiago Bernabeu comes 13 years after his departure and follows a season marked by disappointing results, dressing-room unrest and growing frustration among supporters.
Real Madrid’s campaign unravelled on multiple fronts. Failures in LaLiga and European competition increased pressure on players and management, while reports of internal conflicts highlighted deeper issues within the squad. Fan protests against Perez and star forward Kylian Mbappe reflected the growing discontent surrounding the club.
With the European Super League project now firmly in the past, Madrid’s focus has shifted back to their traditional rivalry with Barcelona. Once again, Mourinho has been handed a familiar mission: stop a dominant Barcelona side and restore Real Madrid’s supremacy.
When Mourinho first arrived in 2010, he was tasked with challenging Pep Guardiola’s Barcelona, widely regarded as one of the greatest teams in football history. Now he faces a similar challenge against Hansi Flick’s impressive Barcelona side, which has re-established itself as Spain’s dominant force.
Madrid believe Mourinho can bring back the winning mentality that helped transform the club during his first spell. Although he did not deliver the long-awaited 10th Champions League title, many inside the club credit him with building the competitive foundation that led to six European crowns over the following decade.
Perez has repeatedly praised Mourinho’s impact on the club’s mentality and competitiveness, viewing his previous tenure as a turning point in Madrid’s modern success.
The 63-year-old returns after coaching stints in Turkey and Portugal, where he guided Benfica through an unbeaten league campaign despite finishing third. While his recent trophy record has been modest, Madrid’s hierarchy believe his experience, authority and ability to manage elite dressing rooms could prove crucial.
Mourinho’s reputation for handling high-profile stars was established during his previous spell at Madrid, where he successfully managed players including Cristiano Ronaldo while shielding the squad from intense media scrutiny.
His strongest achievement remains the record-breaking 2011-12 LaLiga title-winning campaign, when Real Madrid collected 100 points and ended Barcelona’s domestic dominance.
Defensively, Mourinho is also expected to address one of Madrid’s biggest weaknesses. The club conceded too many goals during the season, and his disciplined tactical approach could help improve their organisation at the back.
However, the appointment carries significant risks.
Mourinho has not won a domestic league title since 2015 and has lifted only one major trophy in the past nine years, the UEFA Europa Conference League with Roma. Critics argue that modern football has moved away from his confrontational management style.
Questions also remain about his ability to connect with a younger generation of players. While his methods delivered success in previous decades, some observers believe modern dressing rooms require a different approach.
Former Real Madrid captain Iker Casillas recently expressed doubts over the appointment, saying other coaches may have been better suited to lead the club forward.
Mourinho’s previous spell at Madrid divided opinion. His decision to replace Casillas with Diego Lopez created controversy, while his intense rivalry with Barcelona often fuelled tensions across Spanish football.
More recently, Mourinho drew criticism following comments made after a Champions League playoff between Benfica and Real Madrid, adding to concerns about how his outspoken personality could affect relations within the squad.
Despite those concerns, Perez appears convinced that Mourinho remains the best candidate to restore discipline and competitiveness.
For Real Madrid, this is more than a coaching appointment. It is a gamble on a familiar figure who once transformed the club’s mentality and challenged one of football’s greatest dynasties.
Whether Mourinho can repeat that success in a very different football landscape remains uncertain. But one thing is guaranteed: his return ensures that Real Madrid will once again be at the centre of attention.
