​Jose Mourinho’s arrival at Real Madrid signals more than a simple change at the top of the training staff; it marks a real reshuffle that extends well beyond the Portuguese coach’s closest circle. From day one, Mourinho has been assembling his team at Valdebebas, bringing in familiar faces and trusted collaborators to help shape the first team’s work ethic and preparation. Among the new additions is Joao Tralhao, Mourinho’s right-hand man during his time at Benfica, who joins as one of the assistant coaches. This move underscores Mourinho’s intent to maintain a compact, high-clarity group around him, with a blend of long-standing assistants from his past and new colleagues who will adapt to Real Madrid’s environment.
In addition to Tralhao, former Real Madrid midfielder Sami Khedira has joined Mourinho’s staff as an assistant. Khedira’s experience as a player inside the club, combined with his playing insights, is expected to contribute to the tactical and physical preparation of the squad. Alongside these arrivals, Mourinho has reaffirmed his loyalty to a core team that has been with him for years. Roberto Merella will continue as the first team’s performance analyst, Pedro Machado remains the fitness coach, and Nuno Santos continues as the goalkeeping coach. This trio forms a backbone within Mourinho’s framework, providing continuity and expert guidance as the new manager implements his methods.
MARCA’s reporting highlights that the additions of Pedro Machado and Nuno Santos are prompting adjustments within Real Madrid’s technical structure. Yet, these changes stop short of reshaping the position of Antonio Pintus, the renowned fitness coach who has earned Mourinho’s personal confidence. Mourinho explicitly requested that Pintus remain on his staff, reinforcing the trust and specialized expertise Pintus provides. Pintus will return to full responsibility for Real Madrid’s physical preparation, starting Monday, as the Italian reaffirms his central role within the first-team setup. This continuity is pivotal for Mourinho as he seeks to establish a seamless transition and maintain a steady rhythm of training and conditioning.
The broader organizational framework at Real Madrid also includes a notable adjustment with Luis Llopis. He will no longer serve as the first-team goalkeeping coach, a position that Santos, one of Mourinho’s long-time collaborators, will assume. Despite this shift, Llopis will not be leaving the club. He remains a senior club employee, a status that ensures his involvement with Real Madrid is determined by the needs of the management team rather than a fixed coaching assignment. Llopis and Pintus occupy unique, high-level positions within the club: their roles are not tied exclusively to the day-to-day coaching staff but are instead influenced by the broader requirements of Real Madrid’s administration and football operations.
As this new arrangement unfolds, both Pintus and Llopis are set to meet with club leadership next week to clarify the specific responsibilities they will continue to handle. Llopis still has two years left on his contract, and the discussions will determine how his expertise will be leveraged in the coming months. The structure at Real Madrid thus preserves a dual dynamic: on one hand, it accommodates Mourinho’s immediate coaching staff and on the other, it preserves the senior, organizational roles that Pintus and Llopis occupy within the club’s wider ecosystem.
In a broader sense, the arrangement around Mourinho’s arrival emphasizes that some staff members are considered senior, club-wide resources rather than fixed coaching appointments tied to a single manager. Pintus and Llopis exemplify this model. Their involvement with Real Madrid is contingent on the club’s needs and the preferences of the managerial staff in charge at any given time. This flexibility ensures that Real Madrid can draw on their expertise whenever it benefits the squad, while maintaining the continuity and institutional knowledge that are crucial to the club’s long-term performance.
Looking ahead, Mourinho’s team-building approach appears to prioritize a small, trusted core supported by experienced specialists who can adapt to the club’s demands. The new and returning figures—Tralhao, Khedira, Merella, Machado, and Santos—will be integrated into a framework designed to maximize the players’ readiness, resilience, and tactical understanding. The dual objective is clear: provide Mourinho with a tactical edge and preserve the continuity and stability associated with the club’s established operations. As the season progresses, the effectiveness of this configuration will become clearer, but the initial signs suggest Real Madrid is aiming for a cohesive, purpose-driven setup that aligns with Mourinho’s strategic philosophy.