Real Madrid’s Mourinho Project Faces an Early Test as Deschamps Emerges as Possible Successor
Doubts are reportedly growing within Real Madrid about whether José Mourinho is making enough progress in his second spell as head coach. Although the Portuguese manager has recorded a strong run of results since returning to the club, senior figures are said to be concerned that the team’s performances lack a clear identity and have not improved enough from last season.
Reports from Spanish journalists Jorge C. Picón of AS and Sergio Valentín of Marca suggest that president Florentino Pérez and other influential officials expected more from Mourinho’s appointment. The concerns are particularly notable because the coach was reportedly given considerable freedom to shape the squad during the summer transfer window.
Why Real Madrid’s hierarchy are reportedly concerned
Real Madrid’s standards are famously demanding: winning is important, but the manner of the team’s performances can also come under intense scrutiny. According to the reports, club officials believe the current side looks too similar to last season’s team, which finished without a major trophy. The issue, therefore, is not simply the results—it is whether Mourinho has established a recognisable style capable of delivering sustained success.
The distinction matters at a club where a short run of victories may not be enough to settle questions about the long-term direction. Real have won nine of their first 11 competitive matches under Mourinho, a record that would ordinarily inspire confidence. Yet the reported frustration suggests that some decision-makers want to see more convincing football, greater consistency and a clearer plan for how the team should control matches.
There is, however, no indication that the players have turned against their coach. Reports say the squad remain behind Mourinho, a factor that could help him steady the situation. Support in the dressing room is valuable, but it does not remove the pressure from the boardroom—especially when the club’s performances are being compared with its own recent history and expectations.
Didier Deschamps reportedly on Pérez’s shortlist
Valentín has reported that Pérez is already considering what might happen if Real Madrid decide to make a change. The president is said to have a particular candidate in mind: Didier Deschamps, the former France national team coach. The reports describe this as contingency planning rather than confirmation that Mourinho’s departure has been decided.
Deschamps would bring a very different profile from a club manager who has spent recent seasons working week to week in domestic football. The Frenchman built his reputation through international management, where preparation time is limited and success often depends on organisation, clear roles and the ability to get the best from a group of elite players. Those qualities could appeal to a club looking for structure, although adapting from international football to the daily demands of Real Madrid would be a significant challenge.
Deschamps spent 14 years in charge of France, guiding the national side to the 2018 World Cup title and the 2022 final. France also finished fourth at the most recent World Cup finals in North America. He later explained that difficult circumstances surrounding the national team, rather than sporting results alone, influenced his decision to leave. He said stepping down was intended to prevent further damage to the team.
His availability makes him a plausible name in any coaching discussion, but a possible appointment would depend on several factors, including timing, the club’s assessment of Mourinho and Deschamps’ own ambitions. For now, his reported presence on Pérez’s shortlist adds another layer to the uncertainty surrounding the Madrid job.
Champions League and Clasico could shape the prediction
The immediate schedule offers Mourinho little time to quiet the speculation. Real Madrid are due to face RB Leipzig in the Champions League before travelling to meet Barcelona in the Clasico. The league position has added urgency: after nine matches, Madrid are reportedly seven points behind defending champions Barcelona.
The clash with Leipzig is important in its own right, as a strong European performance could reinforce confidence in the team and provide evidence that the coach’s ideas are taking hold. The Clasico, however, carries a different weight. It is a direct test against Madrid’s biggest domestic rival, and the result—as well as the quality of the performance—could influence how the board assesses the project.
Any prediction about Mourinho’s future should therefore be treated cautiously. His winning record gives him a meaningful argument in his favour, while the reported concerns about the team’s identity suggest that results alone may not settle the debate. A convincing display against Barcelona could ease the pressure; another flat performance might intensify questions about whether Real need a different direction.
A defining stretch for Mourinho’s Real Madrid return
Mourinho’s second Madrid chapter is still young, and a difficult spell does not automatically mean the club will act. Real Madrid have a history of making decisions based on a combination of results, dressing-room atmosphere, tactical progress and the availability of alternatives. The reported backing of the players and Mourinho’s nine wins in 11 matches are important counterpoints to the criticism.
Still, the next fixtures could become a defining stretch. The Champions League match offers an opportunity to show control and cohesion, while the Clasico will test the team under maximum scrutiny. For supporters following the latest football news, the central question is no longer just whether Madrid can win their next game. It is whether Mourinho can make the team look like a side moving forward—and persuade the club’s leadership that his project deserves more time.
Until Real Madrid make an official announcement, talk of a separation or a Deschamps appointment remains speculation. But with major matches approaching and Barcelona holding a significant league advantage, Mourinho’s results and performances are likely to shape the conversation around the club in the days ahead.
