Jose Mourinho is set to become the next Real Madrid manager and join Carlo Ancelotti and Zinedine Zidane as legendary figures to hold two stints as the manager of the most prestigious club in the world. And just like last time, Mou will come to Madrid at a major moment of need, as the Merengues are, once again, without a trophy for two straight seasons and totally mired in dysfunction.
The Portuguese icon will have to settle a host of scores behind the scenes and set Kylian Mbappe straight after the Frenchman went rogue following the 2-0 win over Real Oviedo, attacking both manager Alvaro Arbeloa - a former Mourinho disciple on the pitch - and the club itself.
But Mourinho also has to help rebuild the level of the entire squad. For years, Carlo Ancelotti was asking Florentino Perez for key reenforcements but never got them, even though he managed to win another Champions League with a barren bones defense.
Jose Mourinho wants Real Madrid to go defense
Now, according to a report from The Athletic's Mario Cortegana, Jose Mourinho has already made it clear to Real Madrid what he wants before taking the job officially. Per Cortegana, Mou has asked Perez and Madrid for defensive signings to be made this summer, and it was previously reported that Mourinho demanded a say in which positions Real address in the transfer market.
There is obviously nothing earth shattering about Mourinho wanting defensive signings. Even before he coached Real Madrid in the 2010s, Mourinho was known for his defensive side, but, also, every Madridista will tell you that the club has needed better defenders for years.
Last summer, they signed Alvaro Carreras and Dean Huijsen for Xabi Alonso, but neither of them are starting quality - and there are doubts if Carreras is the right player for Los Blancos at all, especially with rumors of him causing problems behind the scenes.
Nico Schlotterbeck, Luka Vuskovic, and Castello Lukeba are some of the notable names at the center back position who could be available this summer transfer window. There is a school of thought that Real Madrid need multiple quality central defenders this summer, especially with their only great option, Eder Militao, going down with yet another major injury.
Left back is another area of weakness defensively. Carreras and Fran Garcia are not starting caliber, while Ferland Mendy suffered another multi month injury that quietly puts his career in doubt. So that's another defensive signing for Real Madrid to strongly consider as Mourinho walks through the heavy door.
Add us as a preferred source on Google