Real Madrid dominated the conversation all season and continue to make headlines – but for all the wrong reasons.
It has been a campaign defined by instability, underperformance and mounting tension, writes Rant Sport’s Wanga Charma.
How we got here
The biggest contributor to the Madrid drama has been a sense of overinflated egos within the team – all needing to be accommodated.
In 2024/25, manager Carlo Ancelotti could manage the locker room but was unable to produce results on the pitch, culminating in a trophyless campaign.
Then, in the 2025/26 season, new manager Xabi Alonso was able to get off to a flying start on the pitch, but only by sacrificing some players’ positional comfortability for the sake of the squad.
As you’d imagine, this didn’t go down well with everyone on the team and it eventually led to the sacking of Alonso and the appointment of Álvaro Arbeloa.
Unfortunately, he did not fare any better as Madrid went trophyless for a second consecutive season.
Now, with a dysfunctional locker room and the whole world wondering if there is any saving this team, Madrid have turned to the most egotistical manager of all time – ‘Special One’ José Mourinho.
READ MORE: Real Madrid news: Presidential elections signal a new era for Los Blancos
Is Mourinho the answer?
SkySports pundit Tim Sherwood believes that turning to an experienced, proven coach in Mourinho may end up being a good decision.
Here is a man who has already managed Madrid, knows the inner workings of the club, understands the lofty standards and the expectations that follow and has the charismatic personality to match the dressing room.
Fighting fire with fire (or rather ego with ego) may be an extremely dangerous approach, however, as it could result in an absolutely catastrophic implosion should the players not oblige with Mourinho’s regime.
If that happens, then we’re back to square one.
And even if Mourinho can tame the fiery personalities at Madrid, can he find a comfortable winning formula to take the European giants back to the top?
His recent stints at Benfica, Fenerbahçe, Roma and Tottenham have been a far cry from his managerial prime, but they indicate that he may still have some gas left in the tank.
It will thus be interesting to see if he retains the ability to be the best tactical manager in the world.
One thing is for certain, though: next season’s Real Madrid – for one reason or another – will be pure box office.
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: Man Utd opinion: Bruno Fernandes was right to call out Roy Keane’s ‘lie’
