According to Spanish publication "Marca," José Mourinho has set three clear conditions for potentially returning to Real Madrid: full control over the first team, strengthening the squad, and a well-defined transfer policy. The Portuguese manager wants these guarantees of autonomy to make decisions without interference, both on the field and in the management of the club.
Aside from internal control, Mourinho, according to the same source, insists on team reinforcements. Recent clashes with Real Madrid while he was managing Benfica allowed him to identify imbalances in the "white ballet's" squad, with an excess of players in certain positions and a lack of competitiveness in others. Therefore, he aims to have direct influence on both the recruitment and release of players.
Return to Real Madrid Could Be Announced Soon
Mourinho's first tenure at Real Madrid, despite not ending with a Champions League triumph, was crucial for transforming the competitive mindset of the club and laying the groundwork for one of its most successful eras in Europe. "I only want Real Madrid to win the Champions League, regardless of whether it's with me or not," he said before leaving Borussia Dortmund in the semi-finals of the 2012/13 season.
During this period, Mourinho implemented a transfer policy based on discovering talents with development potential and financially advantageous deals. The most emblematic case was that of Luka Modrić. In 2012, the manager personally insisted on bringing the Croatian midfielder, who was then playing for Tottenham. Despite initial criticism, Mourinho always defended his choice. "Please give him time and be patient. He is so good that the Santiago Bernabéu will fall in love with his class," he said then. Years later, with the player's success, Mourinho confirmed his pride: "Luka Modrić is the beauty of football. He is my pride because I brought him to Real Madrid when no one believed he was a player for this club, and after so many years, he is still there."
Everything Between Mourinho and Real Madrid Is Settled; Manager Also Informs Benfica
But Modrić was not the only transfer success for Mourinho. Ángel Di María was another winning bet, brought from Benfica in 2010 for €25 million. The Argentine became a key figure, decisive in Real Madrid's tenth Champions League triumph in 2014 at the Estádio da Luz, where he was named man of the match in the final against Atlético. The same year, he was sold to Manchester United for €75 million.
The Portuguese manager also demonstrated his ability to forecast the market after major competitions. Following the 2010 World Cup, he insisted on bringing Sami Khedira from Stuttgart for €15 million and Mesut Özil. The German midfielder was one of the tournament's focal points, while Özil became Cristiano Ronaldo's ideal partner, providing over 80 assists across three seasons.
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Mourinho's return to Real Madrid is a no-brainer for me. He knows how to build a winning team and can get the best out of players like Modrić and Özil. But will the board give him the control he needs? The future of the "White Ballet" depends on it. #RealMadrid #MourinhoReturns