Rabat – Jose Mourinho is back at Real Madrid, but his return raises more doubts than excitement.
Once hailed as “The Special One,” Mourinho’s record in recent years suggests he is no longer the dominant force he was when he first arrived at the Bernabeu in 2010.
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Back then, Mourinho was fresh from winning a historic treble with Inter Milan and widely regarded as the best coach in the world.
Today, his last league title dates back to 2015, and the only trophy he has lifted in the past nine years is the Europa Conference League.
His recent stints at Manchester United, Tottenham, Roma, and Fenerbahce all ended without lasting success, with each club ultimately happy to move on.
Perez’s gamble
Club president Florentino Perez has long admired Mourinho’s personality and authority.
He believes Madrid requires a strong figure to control a dressing room full of stars. Yet Mourinho’s confrontational style has often created more problems than solutions.
During his first spell, he clashed with icons like Iker Casillas and Sergio Ramos, losing the support of key players and leaving under a cloud despite winning La Liga in 2012.
Unlike calm leaders such as Zinedine Zidane and Carlo Ancelotti, who managed egos with composure, Mourinho thrives on tension.
Perez has now staked his presidency on the belief that Mourinho can restore order, but history suggests this gamble could backfire.
Barcelona’s advantage
For rivals Barcelona, Mourinho’s return is unlikely to cause alarm. Coach Hansi Flick has built a united young squad, winning back‑to‑back titles with a clear philosophy.
Madrid, by contrast, enter this new era divided, with stars like Vinicius Jr. reportedly unhappy and the club abandoning the project led by Xabi Alonso after only six months.
Alonso’s dismissal damaged Perez’s reputation, while Barcelona’s stability looks set to continue. Mourinho may bring short‑term fire, but his methods no longer guarantee success.
Read also: Perez’s Interest in Mourinho Signals Madrid’s Search for Stability
