Jose Mourinho's appointment as head coach of Real Madrid was met with optimism from club president Florentino Perez, who hoped the return of 'The Special One' would restore order to the team. However, the current situation suggests a troubling paradox. Mourinho has not yet been able to replicate the iron-fisted approach he was known for in 2010, and this may signal the beginning of a familiar cycle.

Both Ancelotti and Alonso faced dismissal after failing to control a dressing room filled with strong personalities at Real Madrid. In an attempt to combat the issue of player power, Perez brought Mourinho back, expecting his personality and firmness would re-establish discipline. Yet, it seems Perez may have overlooked a crucial reality: Real Madrid is no longer the team it was in 2010, and Mourinho in 2026 is not the same vibrant strategist ready to confront anyone to uphold his principles.

At 63, Mourinho has adopted a more subdued and conciliatory demeanor compared to his earlier years. Instead of the fiery outbursts that once left players like Cristiano Ronaldo in tears, he now supports players such as Vinicius, even during their worst performances. Despite scoring only once in six matches, Vinicius remains one of the most utilized players in the squad, second only to Kylian Mbappe, who seems more focused on individual accolades than team stability.

Mourinho's comments indicate a shift in his approach, as he emphasizes nurturing talent rather than challenging the biggest stars in the squad. While he praises Vinicius and Mbappe, he distances himself from players like Arda Guler and Carlos Espi, who have made significant contributions but lack recognition.

The result is a Real Madrid that continues to repeat past mistakes. They recently suffered a loss to a mediocre Real Betis and secured lackluster victories against Espanyol and Elche. The team has relied heavily on counter-attacks, even at home in the Bernabeu, where they only managed to defeat Inter Milan due to the opponent's mistakes and Thibaut Courtois's heroics.

The core issue for Real Madrid lies in their inability to control matches. When they seem to be in command, Los Blancos often become complacent, missing critical opportunities to secure wins and allowing opponents to turn the tide. Mourinho himself acknowledged this in a recent match against Elche, admitting they had multiple chances to finish the game but failed to capitalize, leading to a loss of momentum.

Moreover, the relationship between Mourinho and the star players has not reached the same level of camaraderie that existed under Ancelotti, nor does it exhibit the harshness that led to Alonso's downfall. Mourinho appears to be navigating a middle ground, softening his approach to avoid direct conflict while still failing to address the root causes of the team's stagnation.

The upcoming derby against Atletico Madrid will serve as a crucial test for Mourinho. Last season, tensions between Alonso and key players like Jude Bellingham and Vinicius erupted during the derby at the Metropolitano. While Mourinho may avoid similar confrontations, the respect he commands in the dressing room suggests he is no longer the figure who instilled fear in the biggest stars. The elite players at the Bernabeu now respect Mourinho, but they no longer fear him as they once did.