Jose Mourinho back at Real Madrid for second spell with a 'mission'
Synopsis
Thirteen years after a turbulent exit, Jose Mourinho is back at Real Madrid — and he's calling it a 'mission.' With Bellingham and Mbappé still at the World Cup, Mourinho has opened pre-season with Castilla players and a pointed message: he's here to work for Real Madrid, not just at it. Whether that distinction holds under pressure is the real story to watch.
Key Takeaways
Jose Mourinho began his second spell as Real Madrid head coach on 14 July at the Valdebebas training centre.
Mourinho left Real Madrid in June 2013 — his return comes 13 years later.
Stars including Jude Bellingham and Kylian Mbappé are absent due to World Cup commitments.
Early sessions feature players from Real Madrid Castilla , the club's reserve side.
Mourinho described the role as a 'mission' focused on building a 'culture of work, responsibility, and ambition.'
Jose Mourinho returned to Real Madrid's Valdebebas training centre on Monday, 14 July to begin pre-season preparations, officially kicking off his second stint as head coach of the Spanish giants — 13 years after he departed the club in June 2013.
A Return 13 Years in the Making
Mourinho's comeback to the Santiago Bernabéu outfit marks one of the most high-profile managerial reunions in recent football history. The Portuguese tactician, who guided Real Madrid to a historic La Liga title in the 2011–12 season during his first tenure, was appointed to lead the club's first team once again, tasked with restoring a winning culture at the highest level.
Speaking to Real Madrid TV on the opening day of pre-season, Mourinho was quick to clarify that the groundwork had begun well before Monday's first session. 'It's not like I arrived here today and everything starts now. We've been working hard for a long time with the club's structure at different levels,' he explained.
Mourinho's 'Mission' Statement
The 61-year-old did not shy away from framing his return in ambitious yet collective terms. 'This feels like a mission. It's not about worrying about myself or whether I'll win a lot or a little. I'm here to help everyone become better: players, staff, and to create a culture of work, responsibility, ambition, and responsibility,' Mourinho said.
He also drew a pointed distinction between working at and working for the club. 'It's not about working at Real Madrid; it's about working for Real Madrid and that is the spirit with which I am here,' he added. The remarks signal a deliberate effort to reset perceptions shaped by his occasionally fractious first spell, which ended amid reported tensions with senior players and club management.
World Cup Absences Shape Early Sessions
Several of Real Madrid's marquee first-team players — including Jude Bellingham and Kylian Mbappé — remain committed to World Cup duty and will not be available for pre-season training for some time. Mourinho acknowledged the situation but struck an optimistic note. 'Obviously, I would like to have all the players here, but you have to look at it positively. It's about getting to know the boys I'll be working with and giving them the opportunity to get to know me,' he said.
To fill the gap, Mourinho has integrated a cohort of players from Real Madrid Castilla, the club's reserve side, into the early training sessions — a move that also aligns with his stated intent to develop talent across all levels of the club's structure.
What the First Session Looked Like
The squad completed medical check-ups before taking to the facilities at Ciudad Real Madrid. The opening session began in the gym, followed by activation work on the pitch that blended physical conditioning with ball work. Players then progressed to high-intensity possession drills under pressure, finishing exercises in small goals, and a series of small-sided matches on a reduced-size field. The structured, layered approach reflected Mourinho's well-documented emphasis on tactical and physical discipline from day one.
What to Watch Next
With key stars returning from the World Cup in the coming weeks, the real test of Mourinho's squad-building and tactical philosophy will begin once his full complement of players assembles at Valdebebas. How he manages the reintegration of high-profile names like Bellingham and Mbappé — while maintaining the culture he has begun to build with the Castilla contingent — will be closely watched by fans and analysts alike.
Point of View
Public feuds, and a messy exit — yet Real Madrid have brought him back, which says something about either the scarcity of elite options or a genuine belief that the club's current moment suits his particular brand of siege mentality. The 'mission' framing is deliberate: it positions him as selfless servant rather than ego-driven manager, a rebranding he needs as much as the club does. The real question is whether that framing survives first contact with a dressing room that includes generational talents with their own gravitational pull. Mourinho has always been at his best when he controls the narrative; whether Bellingham and Mbappé allow him that control will define this second chapter.
NationPress
14 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
When did Jose Mourinho return to Real Madrid for his second spell?
Jose Mourinho officially began his second spell as Real Madrid head coach on 14 July, when pre-season training opened at the Valdebebas training centre. He had previously left the club in June 2013, making this return 13 years in the making.
Why are Jude Bellingham and Kylian Mbappé not at Real Madrid pre-season?
Both Jude Bellingham and Kylian Mbappé are currently participating in the World Cup and will not be available for pre-season training until their international commitments conclude. Mourinho has said he is using the period positively to build relationships with the players who are present.
What did Mourinho say about his return to Real Madrid?
Mourinho described his return as a 'mission,' saying he is focused on helping players and staff improve and building a culture of work, responsibility, and ambition. He also drew a distinction between working 'at' and working 'for' Real Madrid, emphasising collective purpose over personal achievement.
Who is training with Real Madrid during Mourinho's first pre-season sessions?
With several first-team stars away at the World Cup, Mourinho has incorporated players from Real Madrid Castilla, the club's reserve side, into early training sessions. The squad completed medical check-ups before gym work, pitch activation, possession drills, and small-sided games on the opening day.
How did Mourinho's first spell at Real Madrid end?
Mourinho's first tenure at Real Madrid ended in June 2013 after three seasons. During that period he won La Liga in the 2011–12 season, but his exit was reportedly marked by tensions with senior players and club management. His second appointment represents a significant reversal of that narrative.
