Premier League
Real Madrid bets on Mourinho‑Pintus duo to reshape fitness
Real Madrid have confirmed that Portuguese manager Jose Mourinho will work hand‑in‑hand with fitness director Antonio Pintus for the 2026‑27 season, a partnership forged from the start of Mourinho’s summer appointment and his insistence on strong ties with the club’s backroom staff. The club says the joint approach will shape training and preparation across all competitions.
The Mourinho‑Pintus collaboration was revealed a couple of days ago, with both men reaching a shared understanding of how their responsibilities can benefit the first team. According to Diario AS, neither Mourinho nor Pintus imposed conditions on the other before beginning the partnership.
Their joint approach was built through direct discussion and a mutual belief that combining their work will help Madrid improve. Pintus will retain his wider club role as general coordinator of physical performance across all teams and age groups, extending beyond the senior squad.
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The announcement, illustrated by a photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images, highlighted the new technical setup. Both agree there is no hidden power struggle and that working together serves the first team better than operating separately. Mourinho values physical authority, insisting his squads need structure, intensity and players ready to execute demanding tactical instructions. Nevertheless, he remains the captain of the ship and will call the shots when necessary. The club views the alliance as encouraging, offering clear communication and a united plan that could aid injury prevention, recovery and preparation for multiple competitions. The real test will arrive during the season, and it remains to be seen whether Mourinho and Pintus can keep the injury problems of recent years from resurfacing in the 2026‑27 campaign.