Mourinho puts his stamp on every level of Real Madrid

Jose Mourinho has assumed wide-ranging control of Real Madrid’s sporting operations since returning as head coach, with his influence extending from recruitment and the academy to training schedules and the club’s daily routines.

According to Spanish newspaper AS, Mourinho’s authority has grown from the early discussions over his appointment at the end of last season. In May, when Alvaro Arbeloa was still at the club, the Portuguese was considered the leading candidate to take charge. Talks began cautiously before becoming formal, and Mourinho made two clear requests: he wanted a say in transfer policy and insisted that the hierarchy within the sporting structure be respected.

Three months after those first discussions, the report says both conditions have been met. Decisions across the club increasingly pass through Mourinho, although the final authority remains with the senior management as part of the agreed chain of command.

That approach reflects the way Mourinho has worked since returning. He listens, consults, weighs up the options and places his trust in carefully selected people around him. His close group has been assembled with particular care, from his usual assistants to signings he has specifically backed.

One German player has been described by sources cited by AS as “He has returned as a leader”, in a reference to what the newspaper calls a new version of Sami Khedira.

Mourinho’s influence is also visible in the day-to-day life of Real Madrid’s training base at Ciudad Real Madrid in Valdebebas. He has sought to build close relationships throughout the organisation while maintaining a clearly defined hierarchy.

The manager delegates fewer responsibilities than many of his peers, the report says, not because he lacks confidence in those around him, but because he wants to retain control and avoid situations that could undermine stability.

His methods have gone beyond the introduction of rules covering nutrition, injury recovery, punctuality and shared meals, all intended to strengthen the team spirit. His involvement has reached deeper into the club’s sporting decisions.

At the end of May, Mourinho sent the administrative offices a technical report outlining the type of players he wanted to recruit. Rather than naming specific targets, he focused on the technical qualities required. The squad was then shaped around the principle of having cover in every position.

The failure to complete a deal for Rodri was regarded as a setback, although Mourinho is said to appreciate the effort made by the club’s management. His impact has nevertheless been apparent in several decisions, including his involvement in the renewal of Vinicius’ contract and the decision to retain Tiago Petchar.

Mourinho has the influential voice in the offices that he requested, while the final decision logically rests with the senior leadership. The report says that arrangement preserves the sporting hierarchy in both directions.

The Portuguese coach’s reach extends to the academy, where young players are currently hearing the phrase: “Let us see what Mourinho says.” He personally chooses the individual players he wants to work with, based on his own assessment and the reports provided to him.

Rather than simply asking for a particular profile to complete training groups or squads, Mourinho requests specific players. He spent roughly half of the summer working with the club’s young talents, giving him a detailed understanding of their qualities.

Training has been demanding, with “a lot of hard work” becoming a phrase repeated around the club. Double sessions have become the defining feature, conducted as usual under the supervision of Italian fitness coach Antonio Pintus, alongside Antonio Dias, the fitness coach who arrived with Mourinho.

The manager’s influence is also reflected in the continuation of Pintus’ work, while Yubis did not remain. Nuno Santos has become the new goalkeeping coach.

Pintus and Dias have turned the daily programme into an intense training camp that is testing the squad’s energy. Although physical preparation has been the clear priority at this stage, tactical work is also taking place. Together, the opening months of Mourinho’s return have provided a picture of a new Real Madrid in which almost everything runs through the head coach.