Real Madrid News
Jose Mourinho singles out Real Madrid superstar for special praise: ‘Very special’
Jose Mourinho returned to Real Madrid for his second stint as manager at the beginning of the summer.
Los Blancos had failed to win silverware in the last couple of seasons, and Florentino Perez decided to turn to a familiar face to galvanise a talented group.
As expected, Madrid have made an excellent start to the new campaign, with the only blip coming in the game against Real Betis, which they lost 1-0.
Mourinho has now made his admiration for Jude Bellingham abundantly clear, describing the English superstar as a truly exceptional player.
Mourinho delivers emphatic Bellingham verdict
Speaking to Sky Sports (h/t Madrid Zone), Mourinho was emphatic when asked about the England international and offered an answer that left little room for interpretation.
“Jude Bellingham is very special. Not just a bit special, very special,” Mourinho said.
A reporter then jokingly asked the Real Madrid coach whether Bellingham was as special as Mourinho himself.
“Very special,” Mourinho responded with a laugh.
Mourinho’s words say plenty about how highly he rates one of the central figures of his project at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Bellingham has major role under Mourinho
Bellingham has already shown why Mourinho is so enthusiastic about working with him.
The Englishman possesses a combination that suits the Portuguese coach particularly well. He can contribute technically between the lines, arrive in scoring positions and provide the physical intensity required when Madrid are without the ball.
His versatility also gives Mourinho options, although the No. 10 position appears particularly suited to extracting his attacking qualities.
The challenge for Madrid is ensuring Bellingham does not become overloaded with responsibilities.
He is capable of influencing almost every phase of a match, but his biggest value could come when the structure around him allows him to attack the penalty area rather than constantly dropping deeper to solve problems.
Madrid building around Bellingham and Mbappe
Mourinho made it very clear that both Bellingham and Mbappe will be the pillars around whom Madrid’s new project is built.
The Englishman has repaid Mourinho’s faith by starting the season exactly as he played at the World Cup.
The relationship that Jose and Bellingham share seems beautiful, and the hope is that he can continue his good form for the foreseeable future.
In a major update, AS reports that former Real Madrid midfielder and club legend Toni Kroos has taken his first step towards starting his coaching career.
The former Germany international has told the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) that he is interested in joining the coaching course reserved for professional footballers.
Real Madrid tried to bring Kroos back
It is no secret that Real Madrid considered bringing Toni Kroos back into the club’s structure after the end of the last season.
The club president, Florentino Perez, had wanted Kroos to have a daily presence at Valdebebas rather than making occasional appearances after his retirement.
Jose Angel Sanchez and Kroos spoke after Perez expressed his desire to see the German working at Valdebebas every day. However, they did not find the right moment, time or structure to give his return a clear form.
A comeback remains one of the possibilities most desired by Madrid supporters because of Kroos’ charisma and what he represents at the Santiago Bernabeu. Neither side wanted him to return simply for the sake of it, so the door remains open for the future.
The relationship between the two parties is excellent, and both know that the opportunity to work together again will eventually come.
Taking it step by step
For now, Kroos continues to run the academy he established in Boadilla, enjoying the opportunity to help develop younger players.
After two years away from the competitive side of football, however, he is beginning to look towards the dugout as a possible next step in his career.
Kroos currently holds coaching qualifications that allow him to work up to the third tier of Spanish football.
This is possible because professionals with at least seven years of proven experience and significant involvement at the elite level can gain direct access to accelerated coaching courses.
That means Kroos could coach a team in Primera Federacion, but the German wants to take things gradually.
Kroos has already informed the RFEF that he would be interested in joining the coaching course reserved for professional footballers during the 2027/28 season.
The course taking place this season is not available to elite former players, with UEFA limiting each campaign to 20 places.
With his current qualifications, Kroos could work as an assistant coach, but he cannot yet take charge as a head coach in either the top flight or the Segunda División.
But completing that programme would allow Kroos to obtain the UEFA A licence, which would enable him to coach teams at any level.
