Overview
- José Mourinho has started a second spell at Real Madrid and opened preseason work at Valdebebas with a reconfigured coaching team and a reduced playing group.
- Several players have shown visible buy-in to Mourinho’s methods, with Trent Alexander-Arnold calling the coach intense and saying the squad is eager to learn from him.
- Trent Alexander-Arnold, who spoke to the club on Friday, said the opening days have been hot, physically punishing and have included multiple double training sessions.
- Players and staff say the immediate aims are to restore match fitness and to absorb Mourinho’s tactical setup so the team can present a clear identity once competitive games begin.
- The club is using the early camp to assess returning internationals, injured players and recent signings, a process that will shape selection decisions and any further transfer moves before the season starts.