Jose Mourinho says a season without trophies is not a good one for Real Madrid

By Press Association Sport reporters

Jose Mourinho has admitted he will not consider the first season of his second spell as Real Madrid boss a success if it ends without silverware.

The 63-year-old Portuguese, who was appointed head coach at the Bernabeu Stadium in June 13 years after ending his first spell in charge, will send his team into the LaLiga battle for the first time at Espanyol on Saturday with big expectations.

Madrid finished the 2025-26 campaign, which began under Xabi Alonso and ended with Alvaro Arbeloa at the helm, without a major trophy, and that is a situation a man who won the league and the Copa del Rey during his previous reign simply cannot countenance.

Asked at his pre-match press conference what he would consider a successful season, Mourinho replied: “A successful season can be viewed in many ways. But in the end, the only pragmatic way is through results.

“A lot of work is done on many levels, growing the structure of a club, preparing the club for the next 10 years. But in the end, results are what count.

“We have four competitions – or, if we want to say it, three plus one minor competition. But finishing a Real Madrid season without trophies is not a successful season.”

The much-travelled Mourinho takes up the reins after leaving his role at Benfica, and his return to the Bernabéu marks the latest stage in a glittering career which has seen him emerge from the shadow of former mentor Sir Bobby Robson – the pair famously worked together at Madrid’s arch-rivals Barcelona – to establish himself as one of the world game’s biggest names.

Success at Porto, Chelsea, Inter Milan, Manchester United and Roma have simply served to enhance his reputation.

Asked about the pressure he faces as he launches the latest phase of his distinguished career, he said: “I wouldn’t call it pressure. I’d call it adrenaline that kicks in and is positive.

“I want it, and the day I don’t feel it, something isn’t right. But I don’t feel pressure from debuts or any football match.”

The Portuguese, who will be without the injured Endrick, but has summer signings Marc Cucurella, Ibrahima Konate, Bernardo Silva and Yan Diomande among a series of exciting summer signings at his disposal, has vast experience on his side and also, he believes, a new calm.

Asked what advice the Mourinho of 2013 would give to today’s Mourinho, he replied: “That’s a tough question. Today’s Mourinho is the one who is in a position to advise the Mourinho of 2013.

“The only thing I would say is that one must always stay very calm. For me, it’s much easier to stay calm now than it was five, 10, or 20 years ago.

“Today I’m in better shape than I was when I arrived and when I left.”