Why have Real Madrid turned back to Jose Mourinho?

The old adage is that you should never go back. A theory that football has spent a lifetime avoiding, and none more so than Jose Mourinho. 

The man who's written more narratives of his own during a dramatic management career has never been shy in making a comeback, but even his latest return wasn't one many could see coming. 

We've already seen successful sequels from the charismatic Portuguese at Chelsea and Benfica, but does he still have that it factor that could make his latest rerun work for everyone? 

Mourinho is back in the hot seat at Real Madrid, so why have the Spanish giants chosen to bring back a man who caused such a split in the fanbase the first time around? 

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Remember the time 

You have to go back over a decade for Mourinho's first spell in charge of Los Blancos.

Back then it was a Mourinho still in his elite prime, fresh on winning a treble with Inter - still the last Italian side to lift the Champions League - and still with his Chelsea achievements fresh in everyone's minds. 

Madrid seemed like the logical next post for a man whose ego seemed perfectly suited to one of the most high-pressure jobs in world football. 

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His three years at the Bernabeu were the usual roller-coaster ride that comes with the Mourinho factor. In his first season, he won the Copa del Rey but suffered highs and lows in the league - including a 5-0 defeat to Barcelona - but in his second year, he led Real to a record-breaking, title-winning season. 

Yet, the third act went sour. Despite signing a new contract, things took a downward turn as he fell out with dressing room stalwarts Sergio Ramos and Iker Casillas and was heavily criticised for his touchline scuffle with Barca's Tito Vilanova. Even his relationship with Cristiano Ronaldo went awry, and by the end of a trophyless season, a real split had occurred amongst the fans over their manager, and it was no surprise to see him depart. 

Now, thirteen years later, and with Mourinho almost seen as a coach further from the elite than he's ever been, he's back in the Bernabeu dugout. 

Why is Jose back?

The question is why him and why now? Much like his arrival in 2010, there are two main reasons: to fix a fractured dressing room and to stop Barcelona once again. 

The egos in the squad got the better of the team last season. Xabi Alonso's style and personality didn't fit, and he was soon shown the door, with Vinicius Jr. allegedly not happy with the Spanish boss. 

There was more in-fighting, too, with Federico Valverde going to hospital after one incident, while Kylian Mbappe fell out with fans who were unhappy with his persona on the pitch. 
 

LALIGA

Now enter Mourinho. He may not hold the same winning swagger he did the first time around, but he's a man who knows how to handle the egos currently ruling the roost and still rules with a fist, maybe not made of iron, but firm enough to discipline the squad he's inherited. 

It's no secret that he's remained a favourite of club president Florentino Perez, who has gone on record to say Mourinho is the manager he has respected the most and now re-elected has gone back to what he knows. 

Now he's pressed the 'in case of emergency' button and brought back the drama in a bid to fix the club's major issues. 

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How will it end?

There's no question it's a gamble. Madrid have appointed a manager who hasn't won a league title in over eleven years and who many feel has methods from a generation now passed. 

But no one believes in Jose Mourinho more than Jose Mourinho and he'll relish ruffling some feathers back on his old stomping ground and halting the Barcelona machine. 

It won't be plain sailing and there's every reason to believe it could end up in tears once again, but it already feels like the spark is back in the La Liga battle and it's ready to ignite thanks to you know who. 

 

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