Can Mourinho bring Real Madrid back to the top?
As Jose Mourinho returns to the Real Madrid dugout, questions remain over whether his proven but often turbulent management style can work with today's star-studded dressing room. Experts and former players weigh in on his chances.
Since leaving Real Madrid, Jose Mourinho has won only one trophy — the Premier League with Chelsea in 2015. His subsequent stints at Manchester United, Tottenham, Roma, Fenerbahce and Benfica brought occasional cup success but also plenty of turbulence.
Spanish football expert Eduardo Alvarez believes club president Florentino Perez was inspired by Carlo Ancelotti's successful second spell at the club when appointing Mourinho. Alvarez notes that Ancelotti was past his peak when he returned to Madrid, yet still delivered a Champions League title — and Perez may be hoping for a similar outcome with Mourinho, whose approach relies more on man-management than tactical intensity.
Can the manager change
Former club president Ramon Calderon, who led Real Madrid from 2006 to 2009, welcomed the appointment but warned Mourinho must avoid repeating the mistakes of his first spell, when he frequently blamed referees, rivals and others for defeats. Calderon believes Mourinho needs to win the players' trust through persuasion rather than imposing his authority.
Portuguese journalist Duarte Monteiro, who followed Mourinho's time at Benfica, argues the coach himself hasn't changed — but the football world around him has. Monteiro described Benfica's play last season as unexciting, and noted Mourinho was on several occasions publicly critical of his players.
Lessons from former players
Former Chelsea defender Robert Huth, who won two Premier League titles under Mourinho, recalled the manager's tough but honest communication style and his ability to unite a squad around a shared goal. Huth predicted Real midfielder Jude Bellingham would thrive under Mourinho, though he expressed concern about Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Jr, given their history of reacting to media criticism.
In his first managerial job at Porto, Mourinho was driven to prove himself and delivered major titles, but Monteiro cautions that those circumstances cannot be recreated. At 63, Mourinho has little left to prove about his reputation — but Real Madrid may need something different from him now: the ability to adapt.
