José Mourinho returns to Real Madrid bench for La Liga opener against Espanyol

Return after 4,830 days

José Mourinho held his first official pre-match press conference at the Valdebebas training complex on 21 August 2026, arriving at 9:29 local time with a bruised eye sustained from a stray ball in training the previous week. The appearance took place 71 days after his return was announced and 40 days after his first training session on 13 July. The 63-year-old manager returned to competitive duties 4,830 days after concluding his first three-year tenure at Real Madrid with a 4-2 victory against Osasuna on 1 June 2013. Speaking to more than 200 media professionals during a 42-minute briefing, Mourinho answered questions regarding the club's direction following two seasons without major trophies under Carlo Ancelotti, Xabi Alonso, and Álvaro Arbeloa. He revealed that initial contacts with Real Madrid took place when his previous club, Benfica, had two matches remaining in their domestic season.

The Mourinho of today is the one who should advise the one from 2013, not the other way around. Your father advises you, not you your father.

Squad dynamics and transfer adjustments

Mourinho addressed squad unity and recent comments from new signing Yan Diomande, who had stated in a television interview that he was willing to die for the manager. The coach responded that he preferred full dedication to the group and the institution, acknowledging that competition for starting places would produce natural frustration among those left on the bench. He addressed past locker-room tension between Federico Valverde and Aurélien Tchouaméni, stating that both midfielders demonstrated complete normality and friendship from day one. Regarding the summer transfer window, Mourinho acknowledged that Rodrigo Hernández had chosen to join Barcelona instead of Real Madrid. He defended his midfield alternatives, citing Eduardo Camavinga, Bernardo, Valverde, Tchouaméni, and Arda Güler, while confirming that Vinícius Júnior renewed his contract and will share attacking responsibilities with Jude Bellingham and Kylian Mbappé.

I do not feel pressure, I feel adrenaline. Positive adrenaline.

Tactical structure and opening fixtures

Mourinho outlined strict tactical demands, stating that all eleven players must defend collectively when pressed and reject passive approaches off the ball. Pre-season preparation varied across the squad, with some players logging 36 training sessions and six friendly matches while others completed five sessions and limited minutes. For the opening match against Espanyol at the RCDE Stadium in Cornellà-El Prat on Saturday at 21:30 local time, Real Madrid will miss five players. Ferland Mendy, Rodrygo, and Éder Militão remain sidelined with long-term injuries, while Endrick and Tchouaméni were ruled out due to muscular problems. Following the fixture in Cornellà, Real Madrid host Real Sociedad at the Santiago Bernabéu on Wednesday, marking Mourinho's first match on the home bench since June 2013.