Mourinho's New Rules Are Reshaping Real Madrid

Real Madrid are undergoing a sweeping culture shift under Jose Mourinho ahead of the new season. According to AS, the Portuguese head coach has restricted several freedoms players had long enjoyed at Valdebebas, instilling a strict disciplinary approach at the club. Dietary freedom has been largely eliminated; the club's dietitian will no longer simply offer advice but will fully determine players' menus.

According to the report, another element of the new regime is a requirement for players to be at the facility at least one hour before training. A fundamental shift has also been made regarding indiscipline: players who break the rules will no longer face a fine, but will instead be punished with mandatory solo training away from the squad. Injured players are now also required to spend their recovery period directly at the facility with club doctors, rather than at home or on personal programmes.

These new rules are said to be part of the broader disciplinary approach Mourinho has applied at Valdebebas since his very first day in charge. Other examples cited include his requirement that players share a meal together after every training session, and a deep restructuring of the physical and medical staff carried out alongside Antonio Pintus. Within the club, this period is reportedly being described with the phrase "Madrid Muy Mou" (Very Mou Madrid), with Mourinho said to be building a culture in which daily performance matters more than the name on the shirt.

Source: AS
Image: Be Soccer