A report in Britain has revealed the extraordinary lengths Jose Mourinho has gone to as he prepares to begin a second spell in charge of Real Madrid, including sleeping at the club’s training ground on several occasions.
Florentino Perez, the Real Madrid president, brought Mourinho back to the club with the aim of ending Barcelona’s domestic dominance over the previous two seasons. The Portuguese manager is understood to be highly enthusiastic about starting another coaching tenure in Madrid.
According to The Athletic, sources close to Mourinho say he believes he has an excellent staff around him and is ready to work alongside people who were already present at the club. He also feels Real Madrid possess a strong squad capable of helping him develop the new project.
That commitment has reportedly extended beyond the normal demands of pre-season preparation. Mourinho has stayed overnight at the training complex several times to ensure he has enough time to complete all the tasks he wants to address.
The report says Mourinho has familiarised himself fully with the details of every department at Real Madrid, much as he preferred to do during his first spell at the club. His approach involves gaining a close understanding of all areas of the organisation as he begins work on the latest phase of his managerial career in Madrid.
Mourinho also slept at Benfica’s training ground on occasions during last season, highlighting a working habit that has continued into his return to Real Madrid.
The Portuguese coach is now preparing for the first competitive match of the current campaign. Real Madrid begin their season against Espanyol in La Liga on Saturday evening, providing the first opportunity to assess the early work carried out under Mourinho.
His appointment reflects Perez’s desire to challenge Barcelona’s position in domestic football, while Mourinho’s early actions indicate the level of personal involvement he intends to bring to the role. Rather than limiting himself to work during scheduled training sessions, he has sought to spend as much time as possible at the club’s base and to study every part of the operation.
The information about his overnight stays emerged on Saturday, when attention was turning to Real Madrid’s opening fixture against Espanyol. It offers an insight into Mourinho’s preparations for his second period in charge and his determination to make a strong start with a squad he believes can support the project.
