First images of José Mourinho’s Real Madrid return: “I love this club”

José Mourinho is already hard at work at Real Madrid, even though the club’s preseason officially doesn’t begin until Monday, July 13.

The Portuguese manager shared a photo on Instagram from Real Madrid City in Valdebebas wearing club gear, accompanied by a simple message: “Let’s go.”

While players have yet to officially report, Mourinho has already settled into his office and is moving forward with planning alongside his new coaching staff.

Mourinho’s Real Madrid mission

“Words aren’t enough because this feels like a mission,” Mourinho told Real Madrid’s official website. “It’s not about me or whether I’ll win more or less. I’m here to help everyone become better: the players, the staff, everyone. It’s about creating a culture of hard work, responsibility, ambition, and something I know very well, which is the responsibility and honor of working for Real Madrid.”

“I really like that idea. It’s not working at Real Madrid, it’s working for Real Madrid. That’s the spirit of this mission, and that’s why I’m here.”

Mourinho has been planning for weeks

Although this was Mourinho’s first official day back at the club, he said much of the work had already been done behind the scenes.

“We’ve been working very hard,” he said. “It’s not as if I arrived today and everything is just beginning. We’ve been working with the club’s leadership at different levels for quite some time. Technology allows you to do so much remotely, so today was really about arriving and reviewing everything that’s already been done and everything we still need to accomplish.”

Mourinho’s coaching staff takes shape

Mourinho has brought several trusted members of his longtime staff with him.

João Tralhão and Pedro Machado will serve as assistant coaches, while António Dias takes charge of fitness. Roberto Merella and Nuno Santos will oversee goalkeeping duties, and former Real Madrid midfielder Sami Khedira has also joined the coaching staff.

The club released photos of the new group shortly after Mourinho shared his own update on social media.

Mourinho has already begun evaluating the players available for the start of preseason. Those expected to report on July 13 include goalkeeper Andriy Lunin, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Álvaro Carreras, Dean Huijsen, Raúl Asencio, Eduardo Camavinga, Gonzalo García and Franco Mastantuono.

Éder Militão, Rodrygo and Ferland Mendy will also be around the team as they continue recovering from injuries.

Real Madrid’s unusual preseason schedule

AS has learned that Real Madrid has lined up four preseason friendlies as the club prepares for a delayed start to its LaLiga campaign.

Because Madrid’s opening league match has been postponed, Mourinho’s team won’t begin its domestic season until Aug. 23 against Espanyol at RCDE Stadium.

In addition to the traditional Teresa Herrera Trophy, Madrid is scheduled to face Fiorentina in Austria on Aug. 1, with two more preseason matches expected before the league opener.

“We have to make the most of the next two weeks with a positive attitude,” Mourinho said. “Of course I’d love to have every player here, but it’s also an opportunity to get to know the players I’ll be working with, and for them to get to know me.”

“Many of the young players will be with Castilla during preseason, and I want to be involved in helping that part of the club develop as well. Our world champions will join us later. I have complete confidence, I love this club, and Hala Madrid.”

Real Madrid has exactly 40 days to put Mourinho’s new project in place before its league opener.

The current plan includes four preseason friendlies in Spain and abroad, although the club has not ruled out adding a fifth match. If that happens, it would likely be played behind closed doors, similar to last summer’s private friendly against Leganés.

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