Real Madrid's Potential Lineup Under a Mourinho Comeback Revealed

The chances of Álvaro Arbeloa continuing as Real Madrid's head coach beyond the 2025–26 season are growing slimmer by the day.

The former right back stepped in under challenging circumstances, taking over from Xabi Alonso partway through the campaign, and was charged with settling a dressing room that had struggled to connect with his predecessor's approach.

At first, there was cautious optimism that Arbeloa's composed, "loyal club servant" persona might steer Madrid through a rocky patch. But, despite also rising through the B team ranks, he has fallen well short of being the next Zinedine Zidane.

Real Madrid now face the grim prospect of back-to-back trophy-free seasons—an almost inconceivable situation for the planet's most prestigious club—while stories of dressing room friction and discord persist. By most accounts, Arbeloa's exit this summer appears inevitable.

Among the names being touted to take the reins at the Bernabéu this summer, one stands above the rest: José Mourinho.

Despite his first tenure between 2010 and 2013 concluding on bitter terms, the "Special One" retains a warm place in the affections of many Madridistas, including Florentino Pérez and—apparently—Kylian Mbappé.

The 63-year-old possesses undeniable charisma and is a seasoned, battle-tested tactician. Critically for Madrid, few managers have more experience handling dressing rooms packed with big personalities. That said, Mourinho's modest trophy record since departing the Spanish capital 13 years ago suggests he is far removed from the era when he was regarded as the finest coach in the world.

Here's a look at how Real Madrid might shape up with Mourinho in charge.

José Mourinho's Preferred Formation

Mourinho is above all a pragmatist and has shown a knack for adjusting his tactical setup throughout his extensive career. In recent years, however, he has predominantly deployed a defensively-sound 4-2-3-1 system built around a double pivot in midfield and industrious wide players.

It is the formation Mourinho has favored at Benfica this season, with the Lisbon club sitting third in the Portuguese top flight. Remarkably, Benfica have gone unbeaten in the league throughout 2025–26 and boast the second-best defensive record, along with the second-highest goal tally.

Mourinho's side have leaned heavily on the goals of Greek striker Vangelis Pavlidis, who has netted 21 times in the league so far, while 38-year-old Nicolás Otamendi has been a dependable presence at the heart of defence.

Despite his reputation for defence-first football, Mourinho has demonstrated a more attacking edge in high-profile matches this season. He memorably orchestrated a 4–2 win over Real Madrid in the Champions League group stage—with goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin's stunning 98th-minute header sealing the Portuguese side's progression to the knockout rounds.

During recent stints at Fenerbahçe, Roma and Tottenham Hotspur, Mourinho occasionally shifted to a 3-5-2 or 4-3-3, highlighting his tactical versatility. In his prime at Chelsea and Inter, he tended to emphasize midfield solidity and counter-attacking play, though at Real Madrid he was more expansive, with his team racking up a remarkable 121 goals and accumulating 100 points en route to the La Liga title in 2011–12.

A recurring theme throughout his career has been his reliance on trusted figures within the squad to serve as on-pitch leaders, while he has never shied away from publicly calling out players he feels are not pulling their weight.

How José Mourinho Could Set Up at Real Madrid

GK: Thibaut Courtois—Mourinho notoriously fell out with Iker Casillas during his previous stint in Madrid. History repeating itself isn't entirely out of the question, but it seems improbable. The 33-year-old Courtois remains among the elite goalkeepers in the world, and his absence through injury this season has been sorely felt.

RB: Amar Dedić—Trent Alexander-Arnold's debut season at the Bernabéu has been inconsistent. Frequently praised as the next David Beckham and then criticised as a defensive weak link in the same breath, it's difficult to imagine Mourinho embracing the Englishman, who often requires the system to be built around him. The 23-year-old Dedić, who offers energy in both directions and tactical adaptability, could realistically be a player Mourinho looks to bring along from Benfica.

CB: Antonio Rüdiger—The German veteran's deal is set to expire this summer, though all indications point to a renewal. If he can manage the fitness concerns that have interrupted his 2025–26 campaign, he could easily become a cornerstone of Mourinho's combative defensive setup.

CB: Éder Militão—Much like Rüdiger, the doubts surrounding Militão are not about his ability but his durability. When available, he possesses exactly the tenacious, physical qualities Mourinho seeks in a central defender. If fitness remains an issue, a new addition could be pursued.

LB: Álvaro Carreras—Ferland Mendy is still the club's most reliable left back defensively when healthy. The issue is that he is rarely healthy, and could depart Madrid this summer following his latest setback. With left back unlikely to be a top spending priority this summer, Carreras will probably retain his starting spot despite an uneven first season at the Bernabéu, regardless of who takes charge.

DM: Aurélien Tchouaméni—After a rocky start to his time in Madrid, Tchouaméni has developed into one of the club's most reliable performers. He is ideally suited to occupy one half of the double-pivot Mourinho typically favours, providing defensive cover and dictating play in the centre of the park.

DM: Rodri—A midfield organiser is firmly on Madrid's agenda this summer, irrespective of who arrives as manager, with the club still feeling the absence of Toni Kroos and Luka Modrić in the engine room. Speculation linking Rodri to Madrid has been ongoing for some time, and this summer could be the right moment for the 2024 Ballon d'Or winner to make his exit from Manchester.

RW: Federico Valverde—If there is one quality Mourinho prizes above all else, it is a tireless work ethic. Versatile and relentless, Valverde fits the mould of what the Portuguese manager admires. The Uruguayan would likely take on a prominent role as a box-to-box winger in the system, but could also contribute centrally or even cover at right back when required.

AM: Jude Bellingham—Shifted around the pitch over the past two seasons, Bellingham has been unable to reproduce the extraordinary attacking output of his debut year at Madrid. Nevertheless, the likes of Frank Lampard and Wesley Sneijder are among those who thrived under Mourinho in the No.10 position.

LW: Arda Güler—Could Vinicius Junior be the biggest victim of a Mourinho comeback? The Brazilian clashed with Xabi Alonso and is unlikely to find things any smoother under the "Special One," who is famously intolerant of flashy, defensively-disengaged wingers.

ST: Kylian Mbappé—The French superstar finds himself in a peculiar situation. Despite another season of prolific goalscoring, Mbappé has yet to claim a major trophy since his move to Spain. He is not available for transfer, but next season will be defining for him. He does not fit the classic target man profile Mourinho has favoured in some of his most successful sides, but the incoming manager may still find a way to build around the superstar No.9 by placing greater defensive responsibility on those around him.