Back in May, when the possibility of Jose Mourinho’s return to Real Madrid became increasingly serious, the Portuguese made two requests: a voice in transfers and respect for the established hierarchy within the sporting structure.
Now, according to AS, his influence can already be seen in both areas, with Real Madrid handing him total control in the matters. Now, everything goes through Mourinho.
Listening to everyone, deciding himself
Since returning to the club, the Portuguese listens, consults, compares opinions and trusts the people around him.
His staff has been carefully assembled, from familiar faces to new additions such as Sami Khedira, who has taken on an important role alongside him.
But when it comes to making the final call, Mourinho is the one pressing the button.
People inside Valdebebas say his influence is noticeable in the day-to-day running of the club. He has built close relationships with those around him while making sure everyone understands the hierarchy.
Mourinho has been given the keys to the kingdom. (Photo by Christian Bruna/Getty Images)
He delegates, but less than some of his predecessors. Not because he distrusts those around him, but because he wants to keep everything under control. His aim is to prevent situations that could destabilise the team.
That approach extends beyond the rules he has introduced around nutrition, injury recovery, punctuality and team meals. Mourinho wants the entire environment tightly organised.
A say in the transfer market
Mourinho’s influence was already evident in late May, when he submitted a technical report outlining the positions and profiles he wanted the club to strengthen.
He did not necessarily provide a list of names. Instead, he defined the types of players he wanted and helped shape a squad designed to have depth in every position.
And when he has intervened directly, his opinion has been taken seriously. The renewal of Vinicius Jr. and the decision to keep Thiago Pitarch in the squad are examples of areas where his voice has carried weight.
The final decisions still come from the club’s hierarchy, naturally, but Mourinho has the influence he asked for.
The academy is no different
His authority also extends to the academy. “Let’s see what Mou says” has become a recurring phrase among the young players.
Making his presence felt. (Photo by Jose Manuel Alvarez Rey/Getty Images)
The academy prospects are getting opportunities during pre-season, but Mourinho is choosing exactly which players he wants around the first team after studying them and reviewing the reports provided by the club.
It’s not simply a matter of asking for a certain type of youngster to fill out a training session or squad list. Mourinho is choosing specific players he wants to work with, particularly now that he has spent much of the summer observing the club’s most promising talents.
Training changes
Training has brought another defining feature of Mourinho’s return: a lot of intensity. Double sessions have become a regular part of the schedule.
Antonio Pintus remains involved, as expected, but Mourinho has also brought in Antonio Dias, his own fitness coach.
That combination has made everyday life at Valdebebas extremely demanding, with the squad being pushed physically from the outset.
Tactical work is also taking place, but the physical emphasis has been particularly noticeable during these opening months.
That is the defining feature of Mourinho’s new Real Madrid so far: a team in which almost everything ultimately passes through the Portuguese coach.