José Mourinho returns to the Bernabéu with Bellingham as his centerpiece for Champions League push

José Mourinho is back at the Santiago Bernabéu. Thirteen years after his first departure from Real Madrid, the Portuguese manager has returned to the touchline for a Champions League night, with Jude Bellingham operating as the heartbeat of a rebuilt attacking machine.

Mourinho’s first tenure at Real Madrid, from 2010 to 2013, produced a LaLiga title and a Champions League semi-final. His second tenure, which began in August 2026, has already produced something arguably more interesting: a tactical reinvention of one of the world’s most talented squads.

Bellingham’s evolution under Mourinho

The most significant change since Mourinho’s return has been the repositioning of Bellingham. The English midfielder has been pushed into a more advanced role, essentially operating as the creative fulcrum between the midfield and a front line featuring Kylian Mbappé and Vinícius Júnior.

Real Madrid opened their campaign with a 4-1 dismantling of Real Sociedad on August 26, Mourinho’s first home match back. Four days later, they followed up with a 4-0 demolition of Málaga.

In his post-match comments after the Málaga result on August 30, Mourinho called Bellingham “absolutely incredible.” Mourinho has also publicly framed Bellingham as a contender for the 2026 Ballon d’Or.

Bellingham, for his part, described Mourinho as a “top, top manager” when his reappointment was announced earlier in 2026.

The 13-year gap and what’s changed

When Mourinho left Real Madrid in 2013, he went on to manage Chelsea, Manchester United, Tottenham, Roma, and Fenerbahçe before returning to the Bernabéu in summer 2026.

The advanced role given to Bellingham is a deliberate tactical choice that prioritizes attacking output. During his previous era, Mourinho had Ronaldo as the primary weapon with supporting cast members rotating around him. This time, the attacking responsibility is distributed more evenly across Bellingham, Mbappé, and Vinícius Júnior.

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