Mourinho's Real Madrid Return: Four Landmines Await

The prospect of José Mourinho returning to Real Madrid is gaining serious momentum, driven by club president Florentino Pérez’s urgent desire to bring the "Special One" back to the Santiago Bernabéu for a second spell. With uncertainty still surrounding the identity of next season’s coach, and Álvaro Arbeloa’s departure all but confirmed, Mourinho is edging closer to the post.

The veteran manager continues to command significant respect from Pérez, who reportedly sees him as the man to restore confidence and discipline to a dressing room that has spiraled out of control this season. Adding to the intrigue, Mourinho has already begun gathering intelligence, making informal calls to figures close to the club—including some players—to better understand the current atmosphere at Valdebebas.

Despite these developments, Mourinho is not prepared to return under just any circumstances. He has laid down several conditions and made it clear they are non-negotiable.

Three Non-Negotiable Conditions

The first condition concerns contract length. Mourinho wants a guaranteed two-year deal, giving him sufficient time to rebuild and stabilize the team properly, rather than working under short-term, immediate pressure.

The second condition relates to media responsibilities. For institutional matters, disputes, or club policies, Mourinho wants Real Madrid to appoint another official spokesperson.

The third condition is perhaps the most sensitive. Mourinho demands full control over his coaching staff and does not want fitness coach Antonio Pintus around.

So far, Pérez has not given an answer. Mourinho’s representatives have been told that discussions will continue, with no immediate approval of the requested terms.

Four Landmines Waiting for Mourinho

If Pérez does agree to Mourinho’s conditions, the Portuguese coach will still face four major "landmines" before he can even begin his mission with Los Blancos.

First, Mourinho will have to hear again the words of former Real Madrid coach Xabi Alonso, who once said he felt like he was in a kindergarten when coaching the team’s players.

Beyond tactics, Mourinho will work to establish undisputed disciplinary rules, following the crises that have erupted throughout this season.

Several players are unhappy with their situations. Vinícius Júnior has had previous run-ins with Xabi Alonso when being substituted or left on the bench. Dani Ceballos has clashed with current coach Álvaro Arbeloa after being stuck on the bench, leading to a heated exchange. Captain Dani Carvajal has also expressed anger over not being a starter, which affects his chances of playing in the World Cup.

Most dramatically, a "scandalous" fight broke out between Aurélien Tchouaméni and Federico Valverde, with the Uruguayan player taken to hospital after a head injury. All these problems await Mourinho, who must devise an urgent plan to resolve them and take control of the dressing room before any technical planning can begin.

A Physically Broken Team and a Rising Rival

Mourinho will inherit a team that is physically shattered, on the verge of a second consecutive trophyless season—something the royal club is not accustomed to. The squad’s physical struggles have been evident in recent matches.

Meanwhile, Barcelona, under German coach Hansi Flick, has delivered a stunning performance with a young squad and is close to winning La Liga. Flick is already working to lower the average age of his players to dominate competitions in the coming seasons, having revealed his aim to win the Champions League.

Mourinho will find himself facing a "stable and self-improving" team that he must compete with and outperform—a tough test for the Portuguese coach.

Transfer Control and a Clash with Pérez

Mourinho will personally draw up a list of players to leave and another list of targets for next season. The Portuguese coach will find himself in direct confrontation with club president Florentino Pérez, who personally intervenes in signing "stars"—something the "Special One" does not appreciate.