Mourinho Begins Tenure at Real Madrid Amid Player Absences

Jose Mourinho officially began his tenure as head coach of Real Madrid today, Monday, as the team kicked off its preparation for the new season at the Valdebebas sports city, amid the absence of several international players participating in the World Cup.

According to Spanish newspaper "Mundo Deportivo," Real Madrid players not tied to international commitments arrived at 8 AM for the usual medical examinations at the Sanitas clinic in Valdebebas, marking the start of the preseason program.

Eduardo Camavinga, Franco Mastantuono, Alexander Arnold, and Haussen will be the first players to start working under Mourinho, with the team set to hold its first training session at 5 PM, as part of an exceptional preparation program due to the World Cup's presence in the season schedule.

The report added that Mourinho will begin his work in the absence of several key players, including Jude Bellingham, Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius, and Thibaut Courtois, who will gradually return after their international commitments, prompting the coaching staff to rely on several Castilla players to complete the squad during training.

The same source noted that Real Madrid is entering a new phase under the Portuguese coach, who faces the challenge of achieving stability within a project that includes a talented group of players but has not delivered the expected results in recent times.

Despite the start of the preparation period, the club does not rule out movements in the transfer market, whether in terms of signings or the departure of some players, while Real Madrid awaits the announcement of the official press conference to introduce Mourinho to the media, which has not yet been scheduled.