Jose Mourinho has kicked off his second spell with Real Madrid by working to restore discipline and professionalism to the locker room, after the Portuguese manager discovered daily habits that fell short of the standards he intends to enforce at the royal club.
According to the newspaper AS, Mourinho has implemented a strict set of rules covering nutrition, arrival times, and injury management. These regulations apply uniformly to all players, with no special treatment for star names.
The club’s nutritionist will no longer serve merely in an advisory capacity. Instead, they are now responsible for setting specific menus for breakfast and snacks, ending the players’ freedom to choose what they eat at the training facilities.
Key Rules Imposed at Valdebebas:
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Punctuality & Penalties: Mourinho has mandated that players arrive at Valdebebas a full hour before training begins. The punishment for tardiness will not be financial; instead, offenders will be forced to undergo a mandatory solo gym session, isolated from the rest of the squad.
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Injury Management: Injured players must complete their treatment and rehabilitation programs at the club’s headquarters both morning and evening. Even if they employ personal trainers, the recovery process must remain under the direct supervision of Real Madrid’s medical staff.
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Mandatory Group Meals: The Portuguese coach has reinstated group meals, requiring players and coaching staff to eat together at Valdebebas. This move aims to strengthen bonds and rebuild team spirit after a season plagued by tension and locker-room divisions.
Moving Past the Post-Ancelotti Era
These measures arrive after Xabi Alonso struggled to impose a stricter regime when he succeeded Carlo Ancelotti, who relied on trust, flexibility, and giving his stars broad freedom to manage their daily routines. Alonso’s ideas clashed with several players, leading him to backtrack on some rules before ultimately departing after less than eight months in charge.
Álvaro Arbeloa, who took over the managerial duties in January, also failed to regain control or resolve internal disputes, despite adopting a much closer approach to the players. As inconsistent results and internal issues persisted, Mourinho arrived convinced that the crisis was not merely tactical, but deeply rooted in the daily work culture.
Mourinho is determined to build a team that is fully committed both on and off the pitch. Since his return, he has made his philosophy clear: being at the club doesn’t just mean “working at Real Madrid,” but rather “working for Real Madrid.”
