Mourinho highlights need for trust at Real Madrid

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Mourinho returned to the Bernabeu after a 13-year absence and has made a strong start so far, losing just two of his eight matches in charge and winning the other six.

Despite that, Madrid sits six points behind runaway leader Barcelona, which has a 100 per cent record so far, and went into the international break on the back of a controversial 2-1 loss to derby rival Atletico Madrid.

Mourinho is tasked with bringing some silverware back to Los Blancos, after they failed to get their hands on a single trophy last season and also struggled domestically in 2024-2025.

"Don't betray me," Mourinho said on local media when asked about trust and management.

"When I say don't betray me, of course, I'm speaking about football. Don't betray me, and I'll always be there for you.

"There are rules that are not negotiable. If you report at 9 a.m., it's 9 a.m. for everybody. If you arrive at 9.15, even if you're a superstar, you just can't. I don't accept it.

"But another thing is giving them freedom to express themselves."

Madrid started last season with Xabi Alonso as its head coach, but he was sacked in January and replaced by Alvaro Arbeloa on an interim basis.

He left his post at the end of 2025-2026, with Madrid opting to turn to a familiar figure to try and stop Barcelona's dominance.

During his first spell between 2010 and 2013, Mourinho won one LaLiga title, one Copa del Rey and the Supercopa de Espana.

"After two seasons where the biggest club in the world didn't have the best results and a little 'divorce' with the fans, the club contacted me," he said.

"They told me 'We know you. You know us. You know the club, you know the culture.

"We need you. We need you to rebuild. We need you to start again an amazing decade that the club had. We need a person with your profile'."