How José Mourinho is already shifting power at Real Madrid
Mourinho’s growing influence is reshaping key decisions at Real Madrid, signaling a change in how the club operates this season.
José Mourinho’s wishes are becoming reality. That is the simplest way to put it.
A near 180-degree shift in how Real Madrid operates is underway. The club used to approach transfers from a long-term planning perspective, independent of whoever happened to be in the dugout. The idea was to shape a squad vision first, then bring in a coach to fit it. Not the other way around.
That model is changing.
Mourinho now holds significant influence over transfer decisions. Not just influence in passing, but a real seat at the table. He has a voice, a vote, and real weight in shaping outcomes. It is one of the defining shifts of this new era at the Santiago Bernabéu, where if he wants something, he is increasingly likely to get it.
Dumfries move sets the tone
Mourinho pushed hard for the signing of Denzel Dumfries. In early June, while the club was weighing several options, he made his preference clear. Internal sources say he identified the Dutch right back immediately and never wavered.
He communicated that stance to the club’s leadership, which responded quickly. The machinery sped up, and within days, the deal was effectively done.
On June 4, Florentino Pérez publicly announced the move during the election period. By then, the agreement was already in place, with a €20 million ($23 million) release clause. If the deal was approved, the player would arrive. That is exactly what is happening.
Mourinho insists on Bernardo Silva
One name stands out above the rest in this new structure: Bernardo Silva.
The Manchester City midfielder moved from a secondary option to a top priority almost instantly. It was not random. During a key planning meeting at the Santo Mauro hotel in Madrid, where much of the summer strategy was shaped, Mourinho strongly insisted on his signing.
He pushed for it repeatedly and made it clear he was willing to prioritize the move if necessary. In the end, that was not required, as the player was already aligned with the idea.
Mourinho even reached out directly to smooth the process and clarify the situation. The club followed his recommendation. Bernardo Silva is now set to join Real Madrid.
Cucurella’s fast-track transfer
The latest example is Marc Cucurella.
The Spanish left back had long been on the club’s radar, but he was not a priority target. He shared space on the shortlist with players such as Josko Gvardiol, Riccardo Calafiori, and Piero Hincapié.
Then Mourinho stepped in again.
He made his preference clear: Cucurella was the one he wanted. What followed was a rapid acceleration of the deal, almost without precedent. In roughly 36 hours, the transfer was finalized.
The fee is believed to be around €55 million (almost $64 million), similar to what Real Madrid spent on Álvaro Carreras last season. Even with three left backs already in the squad, Mourinho pushed for another addition.
Not only did he get his target, but the club also approved a significant financial outlay to complete the move.
Immediate impact over long-term planning
This reflects a broader change in approach that has not been seen at Real Madrid in some time.
Transfers are increasingly being shaped in direct alignment with the coach’s demands. The priority is clear: give the manager the tools he needs to implement his ideas immediately.
At the Bernabéu this summer, there is one guiding principle above all others: instant performance.
If that means adjusting long-standing internal rules, so be it. It is already happening.
Mourinho’s influence is growing. And with it, the traditional hierarchy of decision-making at Real Madrid is being rewritten.
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