Mourinho starts with no mercy

Under Madrid’s scorching sun and with just eight first-team players available, Mourinho oversaw his second first training session as Real Madrid manager. Thirteen years after his departure, he was back. There were no gentle introductions or easing into the job. It was full throttle from the start.

The session began at 5:00 p.m. in the intense afternoon heat. Mourinho worked with the players at his disposal: Lunin, Trent, Huijsen, Asencio, Carreras, Camavinga, Mastantuono and Gonzalo. The rest of the squad will return over the coming weeks. More than a dozen academy players also took part, as is customary during preseason, although this summer their involvement was essential. Regardless, Real Madrid is back in business. Mourinho, Part II.

The day’s schedule followed a familiar pattern, albeit with a few differences. In the morning, the players underwent medical examinations at Hospital Blua Sanitas Valdebebas. After giving the cameras a thumbs up, all eight were cleared to begin preseason. Three injured players, Militão, Mendy and Rodrygo, also attended. Although they still face several months of rehabilitation, they greeted Mourinho and the coaching staff, including Sami Khedira, and spent time with their teammates at Valdebebas.

At exactly 5:00 p.m., the first training session of Mourinho’s second spell got underway. The first thing that stood out was the punctuality. Almost like clockwork, the players were already wearing their boots and standing on Pitch 1 when the session was due to begin. Mourinho delivered a brief team talk before getting straight to work.

Despite the heat, the workload was demanding. The session included a mixture of aerobic running and anaerobic sprint drills, with no room for half measures. Mourinho wasted no time in setting the tone.

He led the session alongside his entire coaching staff: assistant João Tralhão, Sami Khedira, who will act as a bridge between the manager and the dressing room in a role similar to Aitor Karanka during Mourinho’s first spell, trusted assistant Pedro Machado, fitness coach António Dias, analyst Roberto Merella and goalkeeping coach Nuno Santos. Antonio Pintus and Luis Llopis, who remained at the club, also oversaw the session.

Although fitness was a major focus, there was plenty of work with the ball. The drills emphasised speed, crossing and finishing, helping the players rediscover their rhythm after seven weeks away. Aside from voluntary individual work since the league season ended on May 24, the eight first-team players had barely touched a ball during their summer break.

It marks the beginning of a preseason that could hardly be more different from last year’s. Xabi Alonso had only 15 days to prepare the team after taking charge on August 4, with the Club World Cup dictating the schedule. Mourinho, by contrast, will have six full weeks to work with the squad after the opening round of the league season was postponed. It gives him valuable time to shape the team before players return in stages over the coming weeks.

The club currently has four preseason matches planned, although a fifth has not been ruled out. If added, it would likely be a behind-closed-doors friendly similar to last summer’s match against Leganés at Valdebebas. Two fixtures are already confirmed: Fiorentina in Austria on August 1 and Deportivo de La Coruña in the Teresa Herrera Trophy on August 12. The club hopes to arrange two additional friendlies during the gap between those matches, with the Austria trip expected to be the first major test.

Step by step, Real Madrid’s 2026–27 season is beginning to take shape under José Mourinho. Thirteen years after leaving the club, he is back in charge. A few days ago he described the challenge ahead as a “mission”. On Monday, that mission officially began: perfect punctuality, relentless intensity, constant instructions and a demanding first session. The squad returns to training tomorrow. Real Madrid is back, and Mourinho has wasted no time making his presence felt.

Return dates

Get closer to the game! Whether you like your soccer of the European variety or that on this side of the pond, our AS USA app has it all. Dive into live coverage, expert insights, breaking news, exclusive videos, and more. Plus, stay updated on NFL, NBA and all other big sports stories as well as the latest in current affairs and entertainment. Download now for all-access coverage, right at your fingertips – anytime, anywhere.

And there’s more: check out our TikTok and Instagram reels for bite-sized visual takes on all the biggest soccer news and insights.