José Mourinho’s return to the Santiago Bernabéu has started with exactly the sort of authority Real Madrid supporters hoped for. Three league games into the 2026/27 season, the side has taken nine points from nine, climbed to the top of La Liga, and looked far more settled than a team still in the middle of a reset. The sharp part of the story is that this is the first time Mourinho has begun a league campaign at Real Madrid with a perfect three-from-three run.
A Start Built on Control
Madrid have handled the opening stretch with little drama. They edged Espanyol 2–1 away, then followed it with a convincing 4–1 home win over Real Sociedad. The latest step was even cleaner: a 4–0 victory against Málaga at the Bernabéu on 30 August, with no goals allowed and very little doubt about the outcome once the match settled.
The Málaga game also offered a clear snapshot of what this team is becoming. Jude Bellingham struck first in the 19th minute, then forced an own goal seven minutes later to double the lead. Kylian Mbappé added a third, and Arda Güler completed the scoring after a neat setup from Vinícius Júnior. It was efficient, direct, and controlled from start to finish.
Why This Opening Matters
Mourinho’s first spell in Madrid was filled with high standards, but even then he never opened a league season with three straight wins. The contrast makes this start stand out, especially because it has arrived across two separate eras at the club. In 2010/11, Madrid began with seven points from three matches. In 2011/12, they slipped to six. In 2012/13, they collected only four. This time, they have reached the maximum total immediately.
The sample is still small, of course, and a perfect opening month does not guarantee a perfect season. Even so, the mood around the club has shifted quickly because the results are backed by a sense of clarity. After years of managerial turnover and uneven momentum, a calm and winning start matters almost as much as the scorelines themselves.
The Summer Refresh Around the Coach
Real Madrid also backed Mourinho with a major squad rebuild worth close to £200 million. The spending was not random. It was aimed at giving the manager specific tools for the style he wants to impose.
Marc Cucurella arrived from Chelsea for about £52 million and has already looked comfortable on the left side, including his first official start against Málaga. Denzel Dumfries has added pace and threat from right-back, offering a more aggressive option in transition. Ibrahima Konaté came in on a free transfer from Liverpool and brings added strength at the heart of defence. Bernardo Silva joined without a transfer fee from Manchester City and gives the midfield another player with control, intelligence, and experience at the highest level.
Bellingham’s New Role Makes Sense
The biggest tactical shift is easy to spot. Bellingham is no longer being asked to fight for the same attacking zones as Vinícius and Mbappé. Instead, he is operating in the space behind them, where he can receive between the lines, link play, and arrive in scoring positions without being crowded out by the team’s quickest forwards.
That adjustment gives Madrid a cleaner attacking shape. The wide and forward runs stretch opponents, while Bellingham acts as the connector in the middle. It also allows the new defensive structure to support a more ambitious attacking setup. The balance looks more natural than it did before.
Mourinho Keeps the Message Tight
Despite the ideal beginning, Mourinho has not allowed the early wins to become the entire story. After a pre-season victory over Deportivo, he kept his comments measured and pointed towards the work still ahead. “You know the five who are at Valdebebas. And next week, the real work begins,” he said.
That tone fits the manager’s reputation. He rarely lets early success turn into self-congratulation, and Madrid need that approach now more than ever. The club has gone two seasons without a major trophy, so the first nine points have value mainly because they create breathing room and confidence. What they also suggest is that Mourinho has not returned simply to revisit old memories. He has returned to build something that still needs finishing.