Real Madrid manager José Mourinho returns to the bench for his first official match of his second spell in charge of the Spanish club this Saturday.
Speaking to sports broadcaster Josep Pedrerol about his first month back at the team, the Portuguese coach said he retains his core football identity but has become more controlled and less emotional after learning from career mistakes.
Mourinho explained that dwelling on past events serves no purpose and argued that accumulated experience enhances coaching quality. He stressed that he remains true to his character while approaching his duties with greater composure than during his earlier career.
Dressing room environment and squad routine
Reflecting on his return to the Valdebebas training complex in northern Madrid, Mourinho said he was pleasantly surprised by the attitude of the squad. He described finding a dressing room with a strong desire to win and an openness to common sense.
The manager emphasised the importance of daily discipline and the responsibility required when wearing the shirt of Real Madrid, one of the most successful clubs in European football history. He outlined specific pre-training expectations, including arriving an hour early, eating a controlled breakfast, and completing work in the gym.
Mourinho noted that everything has run smoothly so far and that he has not needed to adopt an aggressive leadership style. He remarked that the players had protected him from resorting to his tougher side through enviable behaviour, though he added it was unclear whether their discipline stemmed from his presence or the responsibility of representing the club.
Anecdote behind the black eye
The coach also shared the origin of a visible black eye he carried following a recent match in Germany. He explained that Lacosta, a young player from Real Madrid Castilla, the club's reserve side, accidentally hit him with a ball during practice.
Life at Valdebebas and family dynamics
Mourinho contrasted his current setup with his initial spell managing Real Madrid between 2010 and 2013, when his children were young. With his children now living in London and his wife spending extended periods with them, he stated that he devotes virtually all his time to work at Valdebebas when his family is away.
Assessment of Kylian Mbappé
When asked about French forward Kylian Mbappé, who endured a difficult end to the previous campaign, Mourinho defended the player and addressed past criticisms of the team. He stated that former figures Xabi Alonso and Álvaro Arbeloa had unfairly taken the blame, noting that winning and losing depend on multiple factors and that responsibility should never fall on single individuals.
Describing Mbappé as an exceptional player, Mourinho highlighted the forward's commitment by noting that he cut his holiday short to return to training on August 12 instead of August 14. He said Mbappé wanted to prepare properly for a fixture against German club Schalke and had trained with full commitment through demanding sessions.
Mourinho concluded that his role is to ensure elite players flourish within a cohesive team dynamic, adding that the squad is enthusiastic and moving in the right direction ahead of Saturday's return.
