Real Madrid pre-season, Mourinho’s first days from clamour to complete silence | OneFootball

Spain’s World Cup win has muted the usual frenzy around Mourinho’s return to Real Madrid, the coach working quietly at Valdebebas for weeks.

According to El Periódico Mediterráneo, media access came only on Friday for a training game with Alcorcón, and public sightings have been limited to club output. His formal unveiling, expected last week, was postponed, reportedly at his request, with a Netflix documentary due on 11 August.

It is not ruled out that he stays silent until 21 August, the eve of the league opener at Espanyol’s Cornellà-El Prat. So far he has spoken only via club media.

World Cup absences have left him with a small group. Only eight senior players began on Monday 13 July, with Arda Güler and Valverde joining this week after early exits, and Thiago Pitarch arriving after winning the European under-19 title with Spain.

Madrid will base pre-season at Valdebebas rather than tour, with Fiorentina in Austria on one August, Ferencváros in Budapest on eight August, and the Teresa Herrera at Deportivo on 12. Squad building now dominates, after Konaté, Dumfries, Bernardo Silva and Cucurella, the latter two requested by the Portuguese, plus Endrick’s return. Carvajal and Alaba have left after contracts ended, Ceballos was released, and Fran García joined Betis. A centre-back and a midfielder could follow if exits allow, Enzo Fernández has been ruled out in a striking official statement, and Rodri’s name has resurfaced after his outstanding World Cup.

Source: El Periódico Mediterráneo