Florentino Pérez’s Mourinho gamble is already showing its limits

Two months into José Mourinho’s return to Real Madrid, Florentino Pérez’s gamble is already being tested. The coach was handed a two-part task: restore discipline in the dressing room and use his technical expertise to help the team return to the top. So far, both objectives remain out of reach, although the situation could change in the coming weeks.

Real Madrid turned to Mourinho after a turbulent previous season, marked by serious tensions among players and between players and the coach. Those crises were among the reasons the club went without a title for a second consecutive season, prompting its leadership to seek a quick solution. On 11 June, the club officially announced the Portuguese coach’s appointment.

The choice reflected a desire for a strong personality who could manage a squad full of stars. Mourinho stood out among the candidates for his familiarity with the club, where he had worked before, and his forceful character. He was also given broad authority, including a role in reshaping the team and deciding on new signings.

But managing the star players quickly became a source of friction. Kylian Mbappé and Vinícius Júnior are cited as two examples of Mourinho’s difficulties in that area. Relations between Mbappé and Real Madrid became strained, particularly after the Frenchman was injured in the France-Turkey match in the European Nations League. His trip to Paris for further medical examinations also caused controversy.

Another episode fuelled the debate: Mbappé was seen riding a bicycle days after Mourinho had asked players to avoid cycling for fear of injury. Many took a video posted by the forward as an indirect message to his coach. Vinícius, who has extended his contract with Real Madrid, also displayed tension with Mourinho when he protested his substitution against Roma in the Champions League. The incident recalled the difficulties seen the previous season.

The Roma match also exposed shortcomings in the team’s play. Real Madrid started with several leading names and new signings, including Vinícius, Mbappé, Bellingham, Cucurella and Dumfries, but struggled against their opponents. Trailing 3-1 until the 82nd minute, they then scored three consecutive goals to snatch a dramatic win. The turnaround was driven by substitutes, notably Brazilian Endrick, who has struggled for playing time under Mourinho.

After the match, the coach said: «If we had started the match with the eleven players who finished it, they would have scored five own goals. It was impossible to withstand a team with such intensity.» In the league, Real Madrid also dropped six points in its first eight matches, losing to Real Betis (1-0) and Atlético de Madrid (2-1). It has 18 points, behind FC Barcelona on 24, and Atlético and Real Betis on 19 each.

The challenge, then, concerns both parts of Pérez’s wager: control of the dressing room and a sporting revival remain unproven. Mourinho was also brought in to assess players on their performances and select his team accordingly, yet he relied on big names from the start of the season, in part to get the best from the stars or avoid fresh crises. In the Champions League, Real Madrid beat Inter Milan 2-1 in Spain before having to turn the game around against Roma. Those results show the team can still win, but do not remove the questions raised by its performances and the management of its players.