Sami Khedira has returned to Real Madrid as part of Jose Mourinho’s coaching staff, taking on a key role as the manager’s link with the players because of his understanding of the club and its standards.
According to The Athletic, Mourinho asked Real Madrid for a charismatic figure with a strong presence in the dressing room after team harmony deteriorated last season. Tensions reportedly peaked when Aurelien Tchouameni and Federico Valverde were involved in an argument before the clasico against Barcelona in May.
Khedira, 39, made 161 appearances for Real Madrid during a five-year spell at the club and won seven trophies. His honours included the Spanish league title, the 2013-14 UEFA Champions League and two Copa del Rey victories.
The former Germany international was a regular under Mourinho during the Portuguese manager’s three seasons in charge. Mourinho admired Khedira’s strength of character and winning mentality, while the midfielder was also valued for his calmness, organisational ability and early interest in match analysis and opposition reports.
This is Khedira’s first coaching position, despite having obtained a coaching licence. In 2024, he said he was more attracted to working in management and developing long-term strategies. However, sources close to him said the combination of Mourinho and Real Madrid made the opportunity impossible to reject. He “could not say no” and did not need time to consider the offer.
Khedira is helping to organise training and develop sessions alongside Joao Tralhao and Pedro Machado. He is also working on group dynamics and trying to raise standards within the squad.
His standing among the Real Madrid players is already considerable. One player told The Athletic that Mourinho takes the leading role in training, but Khedira “brings a lot to the table and gives his opinion”. Other sources have described him as a “consultant” for the team, adding that “when he needs to show personality, he does”.
Khedira occasionally joins in with training because he remains in good physical condition. Some players even joke that he could still play professionally.
The former midfielder knows the pressure that comes with representing Real Madrid. In 2017, he said the club’s management had appreciated him and treated him fairly, but felt the supporters had not shown him the same level of recognition. Ten good matches were considered normal, he said, while one poor performance could be enough to raise doubts about whether he was capable of playing for the club.
Mourinho described Khedira as “a big addition” to his staff during a news conference on 21 August. He said Khedira was an effective connection between the coaching team and the players because he understood the club, its mentality and had “the relationship an assistant needs with the players”.
Khedira began working in Madrid at the start of July, after spending the 2026 World Cup in North America in an official role with Fifa. Mourinho said Khedira told him during the tournament that he was ready to start in Madrid the following day if required.
The Portuguese manager first introduced this type of role at Real Madrid in 2010, when he brought former defender Aitor Karanka into his staff. The tradition continued under Carlo Ancelotti, who worked with Zinedine Zidane and later Fernando Hierro.
After leaving Real Madrid, Khedira spent five and a half seasons with Juventus before finishing his playing career at Hertha Berlin at the end of the 2020-21 season. He subsequently worked as an analyst and commentator in Germany, while maintaining contact with Mourinho and continuing to express his affection for Real Madrid and his former manager.
Now, following the 2026 World Cup, Khedira and Mourinho are working together again.
