These are the positions José Mourinho wants to strengthen at Real Madrid
Mourinho has already outlined his squad needs, although Real Madrid’s election delay keeps his long-awaited return on hold.
José Mourinho’s planned new chapter at Real Madrid was already taking shape before being thrown into uncertainty by the club’s open presidential election process.
The agreement between Florentino Pérez and the Portuguese coach is total. Mourinho would sign a deal for two more seasons, plus an optional third if he wins LaLiga. However, everything is currently on hold, pending a formal signature that is not expected until Pérez is re-elected as president. If that does not happen, Mourinho reportedly does not intend to remain at Benfica and would instead consider other offers on the table.
Despite the uncertainty, Mourinho has already communicated his squad-building priorities to Real Madrid.
Defensive and midfield reinforcements targeted
Mourinho has not requested specific players but has outlined the positions he believes must be strengthened.
His plan calls for one or two center backs, initially a right back with a left back potentially added later, and two midfielders. One would be a defensive midfielder to compete with and support Aurélien Tchouaméni. The other would be a creative midfielder, similar in profile to Fredrik Aursnes from his time at Benfica, a role Mourinho views as essential in the current squad.
Up front, he believes there is little need for major changes.
Squad changes linked to departures
Real Madrid are aware that any incoming transfers will depend on outgoings, a structural condition the club has already made clear.
David Alaba and Dani Carvajal are expected to leave when their contracts expire. Several other players are also under consideration, including Dani Ceballos and Eduardo Camavinga, while the renewal of Antonio Rüdiger has yet to be formally confirmed.
If Fran García were to depart, Mourinho would request another left back as a replacement option.
Although the current board is operating in a caretaker capacity and can still complete deals, the ongoing election process has effectively frozen planning for the near future.
Mourinho’s vision for an immediate start
Mourinho’s intention was to begin full sporting planning at Valdebebas in early June, working directly with club leadership on both arrivals and departures.
The Portuguese coach has pushed strongly for a return to Madrid, leaving Benfica behind in pursuit of what would be a long-awaited Champions League triumph with the club, having previously reached three consecutive semifinals during his earlier tenure.
To give his approval, Mourinho asked for two key guarantees: that his voice would be heard in recruitment decisions, not in naming specific players but in defining positions, and that the club’s internal structure would be respected without interference across departments.
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