Upon his arrival in 2010, Mourinho faced a clear mandate: dethrone Barcelona, secure La Liga, and most importantly, secure the club’s historic tenth European Cup.
He successfully delivered silverware, winning the Copa del Rey in 2011 and La Liga in 2012. However, his squad fell short in three consecutive Champions League semi-finals.
They were unable to advance past the semi-final round.
Defeats at the hands of Barcelona in 2011, Bayern Munich on penalties in 2012, and Borussia Dortmund in 2013 prevented the club from reaching the final. Mourinho departed in 2013 without achieving the coveted European trophy.
However, he insists his earlier tenure should not dictate the outcome of his current return.
“At Real Madrid, I am navigating two distinct periods,” Mourinho stated. “My time at the club ended in 2013… that chapter is closed. This encounter against Inter is entirely separate from the past.”
The manager has returned to a club that endured what he characterized as a “very complicated season,” making stability a paramount necessity.
“What I have discovered at Real Madrid mirrors what I have always known,” he remarked. “The greatest club in the world.”
“Naturally, at the Bernabeu, I have won the Champions League and lost a semi-final on penalties, but I have experienced both the pinnacle and the depths within this stadium.”
“I am not dwelling on the past. I am the manager of Real Madrid, and a Champions League match is forthcoming.”
Yet, he acknowledged that the club requires a solid foundation to be rebuilt following a turbulent campaign.
“Real is Real, and at Real Madrid, winning is the only expectation,” Mourinho added.
This immense pressure is nothing new to him. His appeal to Real Madrid stems from his vast experience managing elite squads and, most crucially, his proven track record of winning the Champions League.
Kylian Mbappé offered a comparable evaluation when questioned about whether Mourinho was brought in to restore order.
“Mourinho brings his entire career to the table,” Mbappé said. “He is a man who knows how to win, commands a group around him, and understands how to motivate the entire team.”