Mourinho and a Necessary Change

Real Madrid

The coach considers it a priority to elevate the internal competitiveness of the team before the start of the new season... and it all revolves around the profiles he is requesting from the club.

• JOEL DEL RÍO

  New York

  Updated 18/06/2026 - 10:59CEST

José Mourinho has not yet led a training session at Valdebebas, but much of the groundwork for the upcoming season is already underway. While the white club progresses in sporting planning and squad configuration, the Portuguese coach remains actively involved in designing the project. It all hinges on him.

Beyond the footballing needs identified in various positions, Mourinho believes that one aspect that must be reinforced is the competitive profile of the group. In this sense, the signings made and the ongoing operations respond to a common idea: to bring in players accustomed to competing for titles and living with a high level of demand.

The Search for Leaders

The intention is not solely to increase the quality of the squad. The goal is to elevate the internal competitive level and build an environment where demand is part of the team's daily routine. And it is precisely that winning mentality that Mou wants to instill at Real Madrid. In other words, the search for leaders who can help connect the squad in his second stint at Madrid. This avoids situations like those of Valverde and Tchouaméni, whom he knows he can manage without issues.

From his experience, Mourinho understands that the most solid teams maintain high standards regardless of the opponent or competition. Therefore, one of the aspects he insists on the most is the need to transfer that mentality to daily work, from training sessions to official matches. This idea also explains the search for players with experience in high-pressure scenarios. The coach believes that certain profiles can accelerate the group's adaptation to the levels of competitiveness he aims to instill from the start of the season.

The Foundation of the Project... and Protecting the Youngsters

The commitment to proven players does not signify a change in direction regarding the young talents in the squad. Within the planning of the new project, the growth of the most promising players remains an important aspect. The difference is that Mourinho believes their development is more favorable when it occurs within a solid competitive structure and surrounded by players accustomed to taking on responsibilities.

With less than a month until the start of the new campaign, the planning work continues to advance. The preparation for preseason, the definition of roles within the squad, and the pending movements in the market are all part of a single strategy. The goal is to arrive at the start of the season with a team ready to compete from day one. Mourinho believes that it is precisely during these months that the foundations are laid for projects that later aspire to fight for national and international titles.

• Real Madrid
• José Mourinho