Real Madrid manager José Mourinho has shown signs of a return to his previous temperament and friction with the press, according to reports published by El Mundo.
Upon his arrival at the club, public perception centered on a perceived transformation in the Portuguese coach. Observers noted a calmer demeanor, friendly public appearances, and a more approachable attitude compared to his volatile first spell in charge starting in 2010, which featured high-profile clashes and sideline controversies. That relative peace dissolved following a sequence of tight matches, referee disputes, and pointed remarks directed at journalists and officials.
Defeat in Seville Ignites First Flashpoints
The shift became evident following Real Madrid’s defeat against Real Betis at the Estadio de La Cartuja in Seville. During that fixture, Mourinho picked up his first yellow card since returning to the club, marking his initial disciplinary warning on the touchline. Post-match, he launched into his first public complaints regarding officiating decisions.
“The fact that Betis reached halftime without yellow cards…” Mourinho remarked in Seville, questioning the disciplinary disparity before offering a modest caveat: “Saying that we win or lose because of a yellow card is something I don’t do.”
Clash Over Video Review Protocols
Tensions escalated ahead of the team’s UEFA Champions League debut at Valdebebas. Addressing reporters, Mourinho questioned the application of video assistant referee technology from the earlier fixture against Betis, demanding direct explanations from match officials.
“The penalty, why hasn’t it been repeated? Because VAR doesn’t know the rules or because VAR didn’t want to?” Mourinho said to the press. “It’s a question I’d like the person in charge to answer. Why? If it’s due to ignorance of the rules, they have to go home. If it’s because they didn’t want to, it’s even worse. Why didn’t they call the referee to see the monitor? A bit strange.”
The remarks echoed the pointed, confrontational questioning style characteristic of his earlier tenure in Spanish football, dispelling notions of a permanent change in his public relations approach.
Press Conference Friction and the Madrid Derby
As fixture congestion mounted, friction with media members grew more pronounced. Ahead of a league fixture against Elche, Mourinho expressed frustration with the demanding media schedule. “Six press conferences in one week! I’m tired of you and you of me,” he told reporters.
The friction culminated around the Madrid derby. Ahead of the fixture, Mourinho publicly questioned the early announcement of the match referee a week prior to kickoff. Following a fiery encounter marked by several disputed incidents, the manager arrived at the post-match press conference carrying printed photographs documenting referee errors, mirroring a tactic he used in 2010 after a match against Sevilla involving official Clos Gómez. “There shouldn’t even be a press appearance,” Mourinho said after the derby.
Standoff Over Kylian Mbappé Coverage
Following the international break, Mourinho shifted his focus back to media coverage surrounding forward Kylian Mbappé. Speaking ahead of a fixture against Villarreal, the manager criticized press treatment of the player.
“If they whistle Mbappé, it will be a victory for you. You’ve looked for problems, it has been ridiculous,” Mourinho stated. Although Real Madrid secured a victory against Villarreal—managed by Íñigo Pérez—Mourinho opted not to attend the mandatory post-match press conference, reinforcing the return of his trademark siege mentality.
The sequence of bookings, referee critiques, photo displays, and media boycotts confirms that the manager’s initial calm has given way to the combative persona that defined his earlier years in Madrid.
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