Video: “I love Real Madrid,” Mourinho says, as he returns to Valdebebas
Abdullateef Fowewe
Real Madrid coach, José Mourinho has returned to Real Madrid’s training ground at Valdebebas on Friday, arriving in club training gear and insisting he feels a profound connection to the club as he begins preparations for the 2026/27 season.
“With great confidence, I love Real Madrid. HALA MADRID Y NADA MÁS,” Mourinho said on his first day back, a line that underlined the Portuguese coach’s intent to unite the squad and fanbase after a trophyless campaign last season.
Appointed in June 2026 on a three-year contract through 2029, Mourinho’s comeback comes 13 years after his last spell at the club.
He and his new coaching staff arrived at Valdebebas on July 10 to “check” work already done and to officially kick off preseason activities ahead of the formal start on July 13.
“We’re working very hard. It’s not like I arrive here today and everything starts. We’ve been working hard for a long time with the club’s structure at different levels,” Mourinho said.
“Today you can work without being there because technology helps us a lot, and today it’s basically been about arriving and ‘checking’ everything that’s been done and what we still have to do.”
Club insiders say Mourinho has been closely involved in planning since late May, shaping squad decisions, overseeing transfer targets and focusing on rebuilding locker-room culture, unity, and confidence.
With many players still absent after international duties, early on-pitch assessments will be limited, but sources note his immediate impact has been organisational and psychological rather than reflected in results.
Preseason formally begins July 13, when more players are expected to join training.
Mourinho faces the task of restoring momentum after the last two seasons’ disappointments while implementing his methods across a squad he has helped re-evaluate in the weeks before his arrival.
