No More Jokes, Freedom at the Bernabeu Is Over!
The Portuguese tactician has returned to the Real Madrid bench and immediately introduced strict rules on diet, punctuality, and recovery, aiming to restore discipline after a trophyless season.
The Portuguese tactician has returned to the Real Madrid bench and immediately introduced strict rules on diet, punctuality, and recovery, aiming to restore discipline after a trophyless season.
Upon his return to the Real Madrid bench, Jose Mourinho (63) wasted no time in taking action. According to Spanish outlet AS, as reported by Jutarnji list, the legendary Portuguese coach has already implemented three strict new rules aimed at restoring order and discipline in the royal club's dressing room.
Mourinho, a former manager of Manchester United, Chelsea, and Tottenham, returned to Madrid this summer with a clear mission: to raise standards after a season in which Real Madrid finished without a single trophy and a whopping 12 points behind eternal rivals Barcelona in La Liga. He will also need to find a way to manage strong personalities like Kylian Mbappé, Jude Bellingham, and Vinicius Júnior, who recently signed a new six-year contract with the club.
The first rule concerns the players' diet. The club's nutrition expert, who previously only served as an advisor, now dictates exactly what players can eat throughout the day, including breakfast and afternoon meals. While there was previously more freedom in food choices, Mourinho wants the kitchen to be fully focused on athletic performance rather than individual preferences. Although they have lost freedom in choosing their menus, the players have reportedly welcomed the new measure with a positive attitude, according to Spanish media.
The second rule pertains to punctuality. Mourinho has changed the way lateness to training sessions or meetings at the club's Valdebebas facility is sanctioned. While lateness was previously punished only with fines, players who arrive late must now train separately from the rest of the team, alone in the gym. The new coach insists that everyone be present an hour before training begins, with a warning that any violation of this rule will be penalized, regardless of the player's status or role in the team.
The third change concerns the rehabilitation of players after injuries. Mourinho has ordered that all recovery programs must be conducted exclusively within the Valdebebas training complex. The Portuguese has banned treatments outside the club, wanting recovery to be a collective, club-driven process rather than a private matter for each player. All medical data must be coordinated through the club and his staff.
The atmosphere in the dressing room has already shifted. According to a tweet posted on August 8, as reported by Spanish outlet Marca, there is now "sincere harmony and healthy competitiveness in every training session" in the Real Madrid dressing room. Real Madrid kicks off the new season with an away match against Espanyol on August 22.
