Despite being settled at Benfica-a move that allowed him to return to his roots-Mourinho is aware of the interest from his former employers and has already performed a diagnostic assessment of the current squad. If he is to take the reins at the Bernabeu for a second time, he has two non-negotiable demands.
The first relates to the level of influence he will hold over the club’s recruitment strategy and transfer activity.
Mourinho is reportedly seeking a significant voice in decision-making, specifically regarding the positions that need strengthening rather than just individual names. His current view is that the squad is unbalanced in several key areas. During his first stint in Madrid, he was instrumental in the arrivals of Luka Modric, Mesut Ozil and Sami Khedira, and he expects similar authority to fix what he perceives as a lopsided roster.