Jose Mourinho is back at Real Madrid, and he’s already shopping. The Portuguese manager, confirmed as the club’s new coach on June 11, has outlined three priority positions for the summer transfer window: a center-back, a midfielder, and a striker.

The second coming

Mourinho’s return to the Bernabeu marks his second stint at one of football’s most demanding clubs. He previously managed Real Madrid from 2010 to 2013, winning three major trophies during that period, including a La Liga title that broke Barcelona’s stranglehold on Spanish football.

Real Madrid enters this new chapter coming off what has been described as a trophyless and uncertain phase. His three-year contract runs through June 30, 2029. Preseason duties begin on July 13, giving him roughly a month to finalize his transfer targets before the squad reassembles.

The appointment followed Real Madrid’s recent presidential elections. Mourinho’s most recent job before this appointment was at Benfica.

Three positions, three problems

Center-back, midfield, and striker represent the spine of any football team. When a manager walks into a new job and immediately flags all three positions, it tells you how much work he thinks needs doing.

What this means for the transfer window

The flip side is the risk. Mourinho’s recent managerial career, including his most recent job at Benfica, hasn’t carried the same aura as his peak years at Inter and Chelsea.