People often say that you should not return to places you have left, but Jose Mourinho has never been the type of coach to follow common rules.
After Chelsea and Benfica, Real Madrid became the third club he has coached for the second time. This return takes place in the context that Los Blancos need to quickly regain their position after failing to win any major titles since 2024.
Mourinho once experienced a very impressive first term in Madrid. He ended Barcelona's La Liga dominance with a season in which Real Madrid won 100 points and scored 121 goals. However, that term also ended in tension. More than a decade later, Mourinho returned with a big question: is he still capable of creating a new cycle of success?
The challenge lies in the familiar issues. Mourinho has led the last 4 clubs Tottenham, Roma, Fenerbahce and Benfica but only won one Conference League title. The gap between the image of a strategist who once dominated European football and what he has achieved in recent years is increasing.
However, Mourinho affirmed that he has changed. He said he is calmer and controls his emotions better. In the early days of returning to Madrid, there have not been major incidents, except for the fact that he got angry with Denzel Dumfries because this player's throw-in was too slow in the win against Espanyol.
But emotional control will only be verified when Real Madrid faces real pressure. El Clasico, derby matches or a series of unsatisfactory results will be moments Mourinho cannot avoid attention. Fans still have a lot of sympathy for him, but expectations for a Real Madrid coach are always very high.
The professional problem is also not simple. Los Blancos own top stars such as Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Junior and Jude Bellingham, but combining them into a balanced team is another matter.
The victory over Espanyol partly exposed that problem. Real Madrid had a time for the opponent to play quite comfortably and put great pressure on the defense. For Mourinho, this is something that needs to be addressed soon if Real Madrid wants to compete with Barcelona.
The Catalan team has won two of their most recent La Liga titles and won six of their last seven El Clasico matches. Therefore, Mourinho must find a way to break the overwhelming dominance of his arch-rival.
It is noteworthy that Real Madrid does not see Mourinho as a long-term project. According to opinions from journalists in Madrid, President Florentino Perez needs a coach capable of helping the club win titles right in this season. Mourinho was chosen because of his experience and winning record, rather than potential development over many years.
That is also the reason why this return is meaningful as a gamble. If Mourinho helps Real Madrid conquer La Liga or Champions League, he can turn doubts into motivation for a new chapter.
Conversely, if Real continues to have problems with tactics, the inside of the dressing room and the balance between stars, this reunion risks becoming evidence that Mourinho's peak period is really behind him.
Real Madrid has chosen a coach who knew very well how to win at the Bernabeu. Now, Mourinho must show that he is still capable of doing that, instead of just living by the successes of the past.
