Real Madrid News
Mourinho outlines his objectives on first day back at Real Madrid: ‘This feels like a mission’
Having been named the new manager of Real Madrid, Jose Mourinho arrived today at Valdebebas to continue preparing for the 2026-27 season.
The Portuguese coach is fine-tuning his plans at Real Madrid’s training complex ahead of the start of pre-season, which begins on Monday with the players undergoing their medical examinations.
Speaking to Realmadrid TV, Mourinho shared his first impressions since returning to the club.
“It’s a Mission”
Mourinho described the start of his second spell at Real Madrid as something far greater than a personal challenge, as he said:
“Words aren’t enough because this feels like a mission. It’s not about worrying about myself or whether I’ll win a lot or a little.
“I’m here to help everyone become better: the players, the staff… to create a culture of hard work, responsibility, ambition and something I know very well, which is the responsibility and the honour of working for Real Madrid.”
“I really like this concept. It’s not about working at Real Madrid; it’s about working for Real Madrid. That’s the spirit of the mission that has brought me here.”
Preparations already underway
Although Mourinho has only now returned to Madrid physically, he stressed that preparations have been ongoing for quite some time.
“We’ve been working very hard. It’s not as if I arrived today and everything started. We’ve been working together with the club’s structure at different levels for a long time,” he said.
He added that modern technology has made remote planning much easier, noting: “Today it’s possible to work without being physically here because technology helps us enormously.
“So today has mainly been about arriving and reviewing everything that’s already been done, as well as everything we still need to do.”
Looking ahead to pre-season
Mourinho acknowledged that he would have preferred to begin pre-season with the full squad available, but chose to focus on the positives.
👀 ¡Mira quién ha llegado! pic.twitter.com/fNAXzJPS0g
— Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadrid) July 10, 2026
“We’ll make the most of the next two weeks with a positive attitude because, obviously, I’d like to have all the players here,” he stated.
Instead, he sees the opening weeks as an opportunity to build relationships with the players who are available.
“It’s an opportunity for me to get to know the young players I’ll be working with and for them to get to know me.”
He also highlighted his desire to be closely involved with the club’s academy during preseason.
“During preseason, many of those young players will also be with Castilla, and I enjoy taking part in their development and helping that area grow,” Mourinho remarked.
Mourinho concluded with a message full of optimism ahead of the new campaign, saying:
“We’re here, and eventually some world champions will arrive as well. I’m full of confidence and full of the feeling that I love this club. Hala Madrid y nada mas!“
Real Madrid News
Real Madrid weighing up January move for €70 million-rated Arsenal midfielder – report
Real Madrid’s midfield is the one department where Jose Mourinho sees clear scope for improvement, especially given that the club did not sanction his wish for a top midfield signing in the summer.
While Bernardo Silva has chipped in as a handy option to feature in the deep midfield, the club still lacks a controlling and creative option who can glue the team together.
In that sense, there is a clear lacuna that Real Madrid need to address and Defensa Central brings to light that the club have opened up to a potential target.
Zubimendi emerges as a target
Indeed, the player in question is Arsenal’s Martin Zubimendi who the club have seen as a target for a long time, and Real Madrid could even go on to sign him in January.
The Spanish international has not started off the new season well under Mikel Arteta and has primarily featured as a substitute. He does, thus, see a move to Madrid with good eyes in every sense.
Real Madrid, for their part, have not ruled out his signing as was reported in recent months and there is even a chance they seriously pursue him in the winter transfer window as a mid-season fix.
The possible fee
The Spanish outlet also add that Zubimendi’s move to Real Madrid could be completed for a fee similar to what Arsenal paid for the player for his transfer from Real Sociedad – €70 million.
Mourinho’s insistence on making a new midfield signing is no secret, and with a clear target now in mind, the board could well back him with the player he wishes.
Notably, however, even Chelsea are seriously interested in his signing.
So far, Federico Valverde has been Real Madrid’s mainstay in midfield, and Aurelien Tchouameni’s return will change the team’s dynamics in the department.
Neither player, however, offers the control and distribution skill set that the team direly lack.
A big part of whether or not the club pushes for Zubimendi, however, will depend on how the Valverde-Tchouameni combination plays out in the coming months. It is, after all, the manager’s first-choice combination for big games.
