Carlo Ancelotti is confident Jose Mourinho can lead Real Madrid to a successful 2026/27 campaign after making an unbeaten start to his second spell in charge of the Spanish club.
Mourinho has won each of his first three LaLiga matches since returning to the Spanish capital, where he is managing Los Blancos for the first time since leaving the club in 2013.
Ancelotti, who departed Real Madrid at the end of the 2024/25 season following his second spell as head coach, believes Mourinho has the experience and knowledge required to deliver another trophy-winning period at the Estadio Bernabeu.
The Italian left his post to take charge of the Brazil national team. Since then, Xabi Alonso and Alvaro Arbeloa have both had spells in charge of Real Madrid before Mourinho’s return.
Ancelotti said he was pleased to see his former colleague back at a club he knows well and believes the early results suggest the Portuguese manager has settled quickly.
"I'm happy he's here. He can take advantage of this great club, which he knows very well. He's going to do very well.
"Jose is a great manager and I'm convinced he's going to do a very good job here.
"It's all started very well. They had difficulties in the first match, but little by little the team played better, with a great performance against Real Sociedad.
"Now the important matches begin in La Liga against Betis and then in the Champions League. I think the team are well prepared with new signings who will contribute a lot. It's going to be a great season forReal Madrid."
Mourinho’s opening three victories have given Real Madrid an encouraging start under their returning manager, although Ancelotti pointed to the progression shown across those fixtures rather than focusing only on the results.
He acknowledged that the team experienced difficulties in the first match of the campaign, but said their performances improved gradually before a particularly strong display against Real Sociedad.
The next stage of the season will provide a more significant test of Mourinho’s side, with a La Liga meeting against Betis followed by the start of their Champions League campaign.
Ancelotti believes the squad is ready for that increase in pressure. He also highlighted Real Madrid’s new signings, saying they would make an important contribution as the campaign develops.
The former Real Madrid manager’s backing comes as Mourinho begins another attempt to establish himself at the Bernabeu. His previous spell ended in 2013, but his return has immediately placed the club among the main talking points of the new season.
Real Madrid’s current form has also offered early encouragement to supporters hoping to see the club challenge for major honours during 2026/27.
For Ancelotti, the combination of Mourinho’s familiarity with the club, the team’s improved performances and the impact expected from the new arrivals provides reason for optimism.
He believes those factors can combine to make it a successful season for Real Madrid, with the key domestic and European fixtures now approaching.