Spanish media report that Jose Mourinho is building a very different coaching staff for his next spell at Real Madrid, and one of the expected additions is his former player Sami Khedira. Marca said Khedira would fill the role once held by Aitor Karanka, describing him as “one of the most significant people in the staff.”
Khedira, who played for Real Madrid from 2010 to 2015 and was a starter in the club’s Champions League-winning side, has worked as a television pundit since retiring in 2021. He has also recently completed a coaching course, strengthening the expectation that he will move into coaching.
Karanka, Mourinho’s assistant at Real Madrid between 2010 and 2013, was one of the coach’s closest aides. After leaving Madrid, he went on to work at several Championship clubs and at Maccabi Tel Aviv in the 2022/23 season, before departing after the team finished third. He now serves as sporting director for Spain’s youth national teams.
Marca also reported that Pepe, another former Real Madrid player under Mourinho, could return to the staff as well. Mourinho is not expected to surround himself with experienced coaches, but mostly with former players. Joao Tralhao and Pedro Machado, who have worked with him in recent years, are also expected to stay with him.
