Mourinho wins over everyone at Real Madrid after rapid dressing room transformation

When Florentino Perez appointed Jose Mourinho as the new manager ahead of the 2026-27 season, there were some concerns.

For all his credentials over the years, the Portuguese tactician's career has been on a downward trajectory for a while now.

However, according to AS , the appointment of Mourinho has worked like a charm, and the mood inside Valdebebas has changed dramatically in just two months.

The report claims that there is one phrase being repeated inside the club: "The best signing is on the bench." It is a direct reference to Mourinho.

Mourinho arrived at Real Madrid for his second stint determined to change habits, rules and customs around the first team.

His priority was to restore respect for the badge, but also to rebuild the internal standards of a squad that had become disconnected and uninspired over the previous two seasons.

Jose Mourinho has changed the mood at the Valdebebas. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

That has meant clear conversations with players about what he expects from them, while those who appeared to be heading towards the exit were given the opportunity to change their situation.

The key point is that Mourinho has not simply imposed authority. He has tried to convince the dressing room through dialogue. The approach appears to have worked quickly.

The belief inside Real Madrid is that Mourinho has already won over almost everyone around the team.

The squad are showing a greater commitment in training and a stronger willingness to compete until the final minute of matches.

This spirit was visible in Real Madrid's first two La Liga games against Espanyol and Real Sociedad, where the team seemed to be playing for one another.

Los Blancos have always had elite talent. The concern was whether that talent was operating as a unified team with clear standards.

In the last couple of seasons, Carlo Ancelotti, Xabi Alonso and Alvaro Arbeloa failed to get the group to rally around one another.

Xabi Alonso failed to get the squad to rally around him at Real Madrid. (Photo by Brendon Thorne/Getty Images)

Mourinho's first success appears to have been restoring that collective edge.

A huge leap of faith by Florentino Perez

Florentino Perez needed to send out a statement this summer after two successive trophyless seasons.

Perez and Mourinho remained in occasional contact during the 13 years between his two spells, while Jorge Mendes played an important role in facilitating the return.

The Portuguese tactician has received immense backing in terms of transfers this summer in a bid to set this project up for success.

Perez's gamble of reappointing Mourinho at a time when his stock was at its lowest is a double-edged sword.

If it works, as it seems to be doing so far, it could turn out to be a masterstroke from Perez, and it remains to be seen how the decision turns out.