Can Mourinho restore Real Madrid to former glory?

What the report says

Jose Mourinho’s return to Real Madrid, 13 years after he left the club, is the focus of a BBC Sport Football feature that asks whether he can revive the Spanish giants after two consecutive seasons without a trophy. The report, published by BBC Sport, frames the move as a major test for the 63-year-old manager, who won three trophies in his first spell at the Bernabeu: La Liga, the Copa del Rey and the Spanish Super Cup.

BBC Sport spoke to figures who know both Mourinho and Real Madrid well. Spanish football expert Eduardo Alvarez said president Florentino Perez may be influenced by the success of Carlo Ancelotti’s second spell at the club, while former Real president Ramon Calderon argued Mourinho will need to adapt, build trust and avoid the confrontational style that sometimes defined his earlier tenure. Calderon said the manager must persuade players rather than simply impose his methods.

The article also draws on Mourinho’s more recent jobs at Chelsea, Manchester United, Tottenham, Roma, Fenerbahce and Benfica. Portuguese journalist Duarte Monteiro suggested Mourinho’s personality has not changed, while former Chelsea defender Robert Huth described him as demanding but fair, and credited him with creating a united squad. Huth said Jude Bellingham could thrive under Mourinho, but raised concerns about how stars such as Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Jr might fit into his system.

The piece suggests Mourinho’s challenge at Real Madrid is less about his reputation than whether he can manage an elite dressing room and produce results in a modern environment that may be less forgiving than before.