Reports currently circulating suggest that Jose Mourinho’s return to Real Madrid — 13 years after his first spell at the Santiago Bernabeu — is edging closer to reality.
The legendary Portuguese manager, who is presently in charge of Benfica, is reportedly preparing to leave the club just eight months into his tenure in order to continue his chapter in Spain.
In recent weeks, the Spanish giants have found themselves surrounded by negative headlines. From enduring a second consecutive trophyless season — something the club has not experienced in over two decades — to reports of dressing-room tensions between players, the atmosphere around the Spanish giants has become increasingly turbulent.
The situation has only intensified with Kylian Mbappe’s petition, which has reportedly gathered more than 73 million signatures from fans worldwide calling for the French superstar to be sold amid growing concerns over his commitment to the club.
All of this has contributed to what many are now describing as a full-blown Real Madrid crisis, with pressure mounting on everyone connected to the club — from the players to the coaching staff and the boardroom hierarchy.
In response to the growing unrest, Real Madrid president Florentino Perez issued a public statement aimed at calming tensions around the club, while reassuring supporters that plans are already in motion to restore Real Madrid to the summit of European football.
Jose Mourinho’s Return To Real Madrid: The Ruthless Leader Real Madrid Needs Again
With Mourinho set to become Madrid’s manager, the Portuguese tactician would become Real Madrid’s third permanent coach in just over two years following the departure of Carlo Ancelotti.
Current manager Alvaro Arbeloa has endured a turbulent spell at the Santiago Bernabeu, with many believing part of his struggles stems from the inability to fully command the respect of a dressing room filled with elite personalities.
Ironically, it is a situation that mirrors the difficulties experienced by former coach Xabi Alonso during his own tenure at the club.
One thing both Arbeloa and Alonso share is that, despite being highly talented coaches with enormous potential, they are still relatively young managers navigating the early years of their careers.
Managing a club as demanding as Real Madrid — with its enormous expectations, superstar egos, and relentless media pressure — has only made their jobs even more complicated.
However, if Jose Mourinho’s return to Real Madrid is eventually finalised, the atmosphere at the Bernabeu could change dramatically.
Throughout his managerial career, the Portuguese has built a reputation as a fierce disciplinarian — a passionate, confrontational, and authoritative figure who demands absolute commitment from his players and rarely tolerates indiscipline or complacency.
That is precisely why his arrival as Arbeloa’s replacement could be viewed as a calculated move from Florentino Perez. In many ways, appointing Mourinho may represent an attempt to restore Real Madrid’s lost aura, reestablish control within the dressing room, and bring back the fear factor that once made the club so intimidating across European football.
Jose Mourinho’s Return Could Finally Bring Order Back To The Bernabeu
Under previous managers, several players within the squad reportedly reacted negatively whenever they were being substituted.
They often displayed visible frustration and poor body language on the touchline. In some cases, tensions escalated to the point where certain players confronted their coach over playing time.
The situation allegedly became even more chaotic behind the scenes, with family members of some players contacting the club president, Florentino Perez, to complain about their wards’ limited game time.
However, with a Jose Mourinho reunion with Madrid on the cards, many believe that kind of culture would immediately come to an end.
Throughout his managerial career, the fiery Portuguese tactician has built a reputation as an uncompromising figure who demands discipline and complete respect within the dressing room.
Mourinho’s proven ability to manage elite personalities such as Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema, Zlatan Ibrahimović, Iker Casillas, and Pepe suggests he possesses the experience and authority required to handle the strong characters currently at Real Madrid.
His leadership style could play a major role in resolving the tactical and personality clashes reportedly involving Kylian Mbappe, Jude Bellingham, Vinicius Junior, and other influential figures within the squad, while also restoring a stronger sense of accountability and unity inside the dressing room.
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Mourinho’s Second Spell At Madrid: Structure, Discipline, And Results
Looking at Real Madrid’s potential appointment of Jose Mourinho as head coach, many do not view it purely through the lens of playing the most aesthetically dominant brand of football.
Instead, the focus shifts toward leadership — the need for a figure within the dressing room who commands instant respect and brings authority back to the squad.
A second spell at the Santiago Bernabéu would unlikely be defined by the kind of free-flowing, possession-heavy football associated with sides like Bayern Munich, Paris Saint-Germain, or Manchester City.
Mourinho has never been the manager obsessed with stylistic beauty for its own sake; instead, his priority has always been control, structure, and results.
However, with the level of talent available at the Bernabéu, he would still be tasked with one primary objective — competing directly with Barcelona in the La Liga title race and delivering immediate results on the biggest stages.
Away from Xabi Alonso’s famed 3-4-2-1 that saw him win the Bundesliga with Bayer Leverkusen and Alvaro Arbeloa’s 4-3-3 structure that often transitions into a 4-2-3-1 in possession, Mourinho would represent a clear departure from both philosophies.
His approach would likely lean toward a compact, reactive system built on defensive organisation and rapid transitions, maximising the pace and directness of Real Madrid’s attacking players.
Rather than dominating possession for long periods of time, Mourinho’s Madrid would be expected to absorb pressure, remain tactically disciplined, and strike decisively in moments of transition — a style designed to win matches first and entertain later.
Jose Mourinho At Real Madrid: Why His Return Could Change Everything Again
Mourinho’s history with Madrid from 2010 to 2013 saw his tenure at the Santiago Bernabeu begin with a breakthrough, as he ended Madrid’s trophy drought by defeating Barcelona to lift the Copa del Rey.
However, they fell short in the UEFA Champions League semi-finals and also finished second in La Liga that season.
The following campaign saw him reach the peak of his reign, as he guided Real Madrid to an iconic La Liga title, setting a historic record of 100 points while scoring an extraordinary 121 goals in a single league season.
In his third year, however, the momentum began to fade. Despite winning the Supercopa, he eventually departed the club after finishing second in La Liga and losing the Copa del Rey final.
Overall, Mourinho’s spell in Madrid produced a dominant record of 128 wins, 28 draws, and 32 defeats in 178 official matches, resulting in a win percentage of 71.9% — a tenure defined by success, intensity, and a lasting impact on the club’s modern era.
If Mourinho is appointed as Real Madrid’s next manager and successfully curbs the egos within the squad while instilling a stronger sense of unity and collective responsibility, the team could be well-positioned to replicate the kind of success seen during his first spell at the club.
Main Photo
Credit: IMAGO / ZUMA Press Wire
Recording Date: 11.05.2026
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