Jose Mourinho’s two demands ahead of Real Madrid move – report | OneFootball

Jose Mourinho’s arrival at Real Madrid is all but official, and it is clear that the new manager has a massive task in hand.

Arriving as Alvaro Arbeloa’s replacement, the ‘Special One’ is set for one of the most difficult stints of his managerial career, especially considering how he has not managed a top European club in a long time and he now walks into an ego-inflated dressing room.

Mourinho, however, commands a certain fear and respect from both the administration and the players, and he wishes to have complete control over the project.

On that front, he has now made two opening demands.

Mourinho’s demands

Mourinho is set to become the new Real Madrid manager. (Photo by Jose Manuel Alvarez Rey/Getty Images)

As reported by COPE in a recent report, Jose Mourinho has asked Real Madrid’s administration to sanction two of his requests – a player and a coaching intermediary to connect with the dressing room.

The player he wishes to sign is Sporting midfielder Morten Hjulmand, as he sees the 26-year-old to be the missing piece in Real Madrid’s midfield. He will cost about €50 million in the summer, and Mourinho wants him as part of his project.

Further, he has asked for a former Real Madrid player or a club legend to join his coaching staff as well – someone who can link the board to the squad. 

After all, the disconnect is what has turned Real Madrid’s dressing room upside down in recent years, and Toni Kroos is seen as a possible candidate to take over that role.

Who is Hjulmand?

Mourinho wants Morten Hjulmand at Real Madrid. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)

The Sporting midfielder that Mourinho seeks is one of the more complete and promising defensive midfielders in Europe, and the soon-to-be new Real Madrid manager likely sees him as an upgrade over Aurelien Tchouameni in defensive midfield.

In the 2025-26 season of the Portuguese league, Hjulmand made 27 appearances and 26 starts for his team with three goals, four assists and 91% pass completion.

He also averaged 1.1 key passes and over nine defensive actions per game.

His arrival, needless to say, throws doubts on the future and continuity of Tchouameni who has been an undisputed starter so far but seems to be the first piece Mourinho wishes to change.