José Mourinho has formally commenced his second spell as Real Madrid manager, opening pre-season at the club’s Valdebebas training complex on Monday, 13 July 2026. The Portuguese began with medical examinations at the Clínica Sanitas facility in the morning before taking his first session with the senior squad at 17:00.
Depleted squad opens pre-season
The session operated with reduced numbers. Several first-team stars remain on extended breaks following World Cup duty, including Jude Bellingham, Kylian Mbappé, Vinícius Júnior and Thibaut Courtois. They are expected to return on a staggered basis in the coming weeks.
Those present for the opening workout included Eduardo Camavinga, Franco Mastantuono, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Dean Huijsen. To compensate for the absent internationals, Mourinho will supplement his training groups with players from Castilla, Real Madrid’s reserve side.
The makeshift nature of the opening week underscores the challenges posed by the World Cup calendar, which has compressed the pre-season window. Mourinho’s full assessment of his senior squad will only be possible once the international contingent completes its gradual return.
Uncertain backdrop and next steps
Mourinho’s arrival follows a period of flux at the Bernabéu. Xabi Alonso’s tenure lasted approximately one year, while Álvaro Arbeloa, promoted from youth-team duties, provided only six months of stability before his departure. Club president Florentino Pérez secured Mourinho’s return after winning re-election, tasking the manager with restoring consistency to a squad possessing significant individual talent but lacking recent silverware.
A formal press presentation for Mourinho has yet to be scheduled, with no date confirmed. Transfer activity continues, with reports suggesting both arrivals and departures remain possible despite the core structure of the squad being largely settled.
The meaningful examination of Mourinho’s second era will begin once the World Cup players rejoin training and competitive fixtures approach. For now, the focus remains on building fitness and integrating Castilla prospects into the senior environment.