Jose Mourinho has embarked on his second tenure as Real Madrid manager, facing the familiar pressure of delivering the club's elusive 10th Champions League title. The Portuguese coach's initial stint at the helm from 2010 to 2013 saw Real secure a Copa del Rey in 2011 and a La Liga title in 2012, alongside three consecutive Champions League semi-final appearances. However, the ultimate prize, the Champions League trophy, remained out of reach, with the team being eliminated by Barcelona, Bayern Munich, and Borussia Dortmund in those crucial stages.
Mourinho, speaking about his return, stated that his previous spell at Real Madrid is a "closed chapter" and that the current situation bears no resemblance to the past. He described Real Madrid as "the best club in the world" and emphasized the need for stability after what he termed a "very complicated season" for the club.
"Real is Real and at Real Madrid, you have to win," Mourinho said, underscoring the unwavering expectation of success. His return is viewed by many as an attempt to leverage his proven track record in managing elite teams and his past Champions League triumphs, including one with Inter Milan in 2010, the same club he is set to face in his opening Champions League fixture of this new era.
Kylian Mbappe commented on Mourinho's appointment, noting that the manager "brings his whole career" and is "a guy who knows how to win, to have a group around him and he knows about giving motivation to the whole group." This sentiment highlights the belief that Mourinho's experience and motivational prowess are key assets for Real Madrid as they seek to re-establish themselves as a dominant force in European football.