Mourinho targets Khedira for Real Madrid assistant coach role

Mourinho’s return and the coaching vacancy

José Mourinho is back at Real Madrid and has moved quickly to fill a position on his staff. Multiple reports from Spain and Germany state that the Portuguese coach wants Sami Khedira as his assistant, and initial talks have already taken place. The story was first reported by the Spanish newspaper AS and by The Athletic, and later confirmed by Sky Germany and Welt.

Khedira’s history at the club

Khedira spent five seasons at Real Madrid, joining in 2010 after Mourinho had scouted him at VfB Stuttgart and then watched him excel at the World Cup in South Africa. The 77-cap German international won La Liga, the Copa del Rey and the Supercopa under Mourinho before the coach left for Chelsea in 2013. Khedira remained at the club until 2015 and later collected a Champions League winner’s medal with Real. Since retiring from playing he has worked as a television pundit.

“Mourinho is like a foster father of football to me. One day after we lost the 2010 World Cup semi‑final against Spain, I got a text from my agent: ‘Mourinho wants to call you.’ I said: ‘I can’t talk to him on the phone. He should send me a text.’”

Details of the proposed deal

Sky Germany reports that Khedira has already given a verbal green light and that final negotiations are scheduled for the days ahead, with the aim of completing the deal before the end of the month. The former midfielder is expected to take a prominent role on the training pitch and inside the dressing room from the start of pre‑season. Other sources, however, add that Khedira is still weighing the offer and has not spoken publicly.

Other names ruled out

Earlier speculation had linked another former Mourinho charge, ex-Real Madrid defender Pepe, with a coaching role. The 43‑year‑old Portuguese dismissed those rumours as “social media speculation” and said he had not discussed any position with Mourinho. He left the door open for a future return to the club but stated that it is not currently a topic.