On July 23, local time, according to L'Équipe, after Mourinho's return to Real Madrid, his goal is to restore the team's competitiveness. He hopes to re-establish high standards, strict discipline, and an intense training atmosphere to improve defensive stability and team spirit. Tactically, Mourinho plans to use Mbappe as the attacking core and adjust Bellingham's position to solve the integration problem among Mbappe, Vinicius, and Bellingham.
Since July 10, Mourinho has returned to a familiar environment - the Real Madrid training base. This was where he worked daily for three consecutive seasons (2010-2013).
Mourinho's re-appointment as Real Madrid coach this summer surprised many within Madrid and was met with numerous questions. For critics who believe he is outdated, Mourinho can point to Ancelotti's unexpected return to Real Madrid in 2021 as a response.
At the time, Ancelotti was also considered past his prime, but the Italian's second stint at Real Madrid was even more glorious than his first.
Aware of the importance of this opportunity, Mourinho returned to Madrid with a strong desire for self-affirmation, hoping to prove that he is still a top coach.
In an interview with Real Madrid's official media, the Portuguese stated that he was "on a mission": "This is not just about working for Real Madrid; it's about having the honor of working for Real Madrid. I am here to help everyone improve and to build a work culture, a sense of responsibility, and ambition that belongs here."
After two consecutive seasons without major trophies, Mourinho first wants to re-establish the high standards, strict discipline, and intense competitive atmosphere in daily training that Real Madrid once had.
Previously, Real Madrid's management and coaching staff had identified players' lack of commitment in training as one of the significant reasons for the team's poor performance in the past two years.
This intention to restore professionalism has already been reflected since Real Madrid resumed training.
Last Monday, Real Madrid resumed training. Arnold told Real Madrid's official media: "Training is very tough and very intense. The team demands a lot from itself."
Previously, most Real Madrid players would usually arrive at the training ground 15 minutes or half an hour early, but last week, they arrived almost two hours early.
Mourinho has always been described by the outside world as a strong, even controversial, coach, but this time, he does not intend to abandon his principles while also hoping to adopt a more open and communicative management style.
His goal is not to unilaterally impose his ideas but to make players genuinely recognize and actively implement his tactical philosophy.
To make Real Madrid competitive again, as he did during his first tenure, Mourinho has set several key tasks:
First, to restore the defensive stability that Real Madrid has gradually lost in recent years; second, to re-establish stronger tactical discipline and an impeccable team spirit, making players willing to run, fight, and make sacrifices for the overall good of the team. Mourinho believes this is the main problem with the current squad. With this in mind, Rodri, currently playing for Manchester City and recently named the best player in the World Cup, has become a key target for Real Madrid.
Mourinho hopes to adopt a 4-2-3-1 or 5-3-2 system, based on high-pressing and a compact overall defensive structure.
With his outstanding performance in the World Cup, French star Mbappe will become the team's tactical core. Mourinho hopes to mold Mbappe into a super-core with extremely high efficiency and significant influence, much like he did with Ronaldo when he coached him.
At the same time, based on Bellingham's performance in the World Cup, Mourinho also plans to re-adjust the Englishman's position, moving him back to an attacking midfield role behind the center forward.
Because one of his biggest tasks is to solve Real Madrid's biggest tactical problem in attack: how to truly integrate the attacking trident of Mbappe, Vinicius, and Bellingham.
Unless Vinicius becomes the variable to be adjusted in the plan to sign Michael Olise.
Currently, Mourinho's three predecessors as Real Madrid coach – Ancelotti, Alonso, and Arbeloa – have failed to solve this problem.
And this might be the key to testing whether Mourinho is still "special."
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