Jose Mourinho says his return to Real Madrid is set to be a more emotional experience than his first spell at the club, describing the job as a mission rather than a personal opportunity.

The Portuguese coach has returned to Madrid for a second stint after the departure of Alvaro Arbeloa and has signed a three-year contract. His immediate objective is to end the club’s two-season wait for a major trophy, with Real Madrid opening their LaLiga campaign against Espanyol on August 22.

‘This is like coming home’

Mourinho made a strong start to his second tenure during pre-season, guiding Madrid to four wins and one draw from five matches. He now believes the competitive return will carry a different emotional weight from his first appointment between 2010 and 2013.

“This is like coming home,” Mourinho said at his official presentation. “Emotionally, it’s even more special than the first time because then it was about reaching the top of the world, and now it’s a more emotional and heartfelt experience.”

During his first spell, Mourinho led Real Madrid to one LaLiga title, one Copa del Rey and one Supercopa de España. That period was also defined by the club’s intense rivalry with Barcelona, but the coach expects his latest return to be less tense and more focused on building a unified working culture.

A mission built on responsibility

Mourinho said his connection with Madrid extends beyond the team and staff, insisting that working for the club means accepting a responsibility to its supporters.

“I’m one of you, I always have been, and you can imagine what it means to me to work for Real Madrid,” he said.

He added that his priorities were not centred on his own status or earnings, but on improving everyone around him and establishing an environment based on discipline and ambition.

“I’m here to help everyone be better: players, staff. To create a culture of work, responsibility, ambition, and something I know well, which is the responsibility and honour of working for Real Madrid.”

With the new season approaching, Mourinho’s words set an emotional tone for a second Madrid chapter that he hopes will deliver the silverware the club has been missing.