Mourinho, Inter and Champions League: Can he deliver again at Real Madrid?
Jose Mourinho begins his second Real Madrid spell in the Champions League against former club Inter Milan, 16 years after winning the trophy with Inter at the Bernabeu. Will he finally deliver European glory in Madrid?
First reported 1 week ago · latest update 6 days ago
When Mourinho arrived at Real Madrid in 2010, the brief was clear. He needed to challenge Barcelona, to win La Liga and, above all, deliver the club's 10th European Cup.
He did win trophies. Real lifted the Copa del Rey in 2011 and La Liga in 2012, while Mourinho's side also reached three consecutive Champions League semi-finals.
But they could not get beyond that stage.
Real were beaten by Barcelona in 2011, Bayern Munich on penalties in 2012 and Borussia Dortmund in 2013. Mourinho eventually left in 2013 without delivering the Champions League trophy Real wanted.
But he is adamant his previous spell should not define what happens this time.
"At Real Madrid, I'm going through two different periods," Mourinho said. "I ended working for Real Madrid in 2013... This is a closed chapter. This match against Inter has nothing to do with the past."
Mourinho has returned to a club that endured what he described as a "very complicated season" and where stability is now essential.
"What I've found at Real Madrid is what I've always found here," he said. "The best club in the world.
"Obviously in the Bernabeu, I've won the Champions League, I've lost a Champions League semi-final through penalties, but I've had the best and the worst in this stadium.
"I'm not thinking about this. I think that I'm the coach of Real Madrid and a Champions League game is going to happen."
But he also acknowledged the club needs to rebuild a stable foundation after a difficult campaign.
"Real is Real and at Real Madrid, you have to win," Mourinho added.
That pressure is nothing new to him. His appeal to Real Madrid lies partly in his experience of managing elite dressing rooms and, crucially, knowing what it takes to win the Champions League.
Kylian Mbappe offered a similar assessment when asked whether Mourinho had been brought in to restore authority.
"Mourinho brings his whole career," Mbappe said. "He is a guy who knows how to win, to have a group around him and he knows about giving motivation to the whole group."
Citations · 5 reports from 4 outlets
Tap a citation to read it above, right here on T.A.M.
Mourinho, Inter and Champions League: Can he deliver again at Real Madrid?
Jose Mourinho begins his second Real Madrid spell in the Champions League against former club Inter Milan, 16 years after winning the trophy with Inter at the Bernabeu. Will he finally deliver European glory in Madrid?
6 days agoReal Madrid vs Inter: Champions League – preview, team news, prediction
Mourinho kicks off the record 15-time Champions League winners' European campaign against Serie A champions Inter.
1 week agoLIVE: Real Madrid vs Inter Milan – UEFA Champions League
Follow our live build-up and text commentary stream coverage as Kylian Mbappe and Jude Bellingham star for Real.
6 days agoMourinho's Real Madrid edge Inter Milan in Champions League opener
Jose Mourinho's Real Madrid began their Champions League campaign with a 2-1 win over his former side Inter Milan on Tuesday, taking a two-goal lead before Carlos Augusto pulled one back. Thibaut Courtois and Inter goalkeeper Josep Martinez both made crucial saves as Madrid held on for victory at the Santiago Bernabeu.
6 days ago · FRANCE 24How to watch Real Madrid vs Inter: Free Streams & TV Channels for Champions League 2026/27
All the ways to watch Real Madrid vs Inter for free online, with Jude Bellingham and Kylian Mbappe set to star in the Champions League clash at Bernabeu.
6 days ago · Aatif Sulleyman