While much of the media glare has naturally focused on the massive player movements inside the dressing room—boasting four new summer signings—and the seismic managerial transition from Álvaro Arbeloa to José Mourinho, a quiet but deep transformation has been taking place behind closed doors.
As reported by Diario AS, Mourinho has officially finalized his backroom coaching staff with two highly significant, definitive personnel moves in the first-team dugout. The shake-up marks the end of an iconic era for one of Real Madrid’s most decorated backroom figures, while solidifying a massive, trusted circle of Portuguese confidants.
The Key Staffing Transitions at Valdebebas
The restructuring features a high-profile exit and a strategic arrival designed to align the medical and tactical departments with Mourinho’s meticulous training ground methodologies.
- The Departure of Luis Llopis: Real Madrid are parting ways with first-team goalkeeping coach Luis Llopis. Llopis was a legendary figure at the club, having masterminded the preparation of Madrid’s shot-stoppers during the highly successful Champions League eras under Zinedine Zidane and Carlo Ancelotti. While his first-team duties have officially concluded, it remains to be seen whether Real Madrid will reassign him to another capacity within the club’s youth architecture.
- The Arrival of Sandro Carrico: Stepping into the setup is highly regarded physiologist Sandro Carrico. He is tasked with overseeing the squad’s physical output and recovery metrics under Mourinho’s intense, high-energy tactical demands.
- The Retention of Antonio Pintus: In a major show of respect for the club’s institutional foundations, Mourinho has explicitly retained the services of iconic fitness director Antonio Pintus. Pintus will remain the physical architect of the first team, bridging the gap between the old regime and the new staff.
Rebuilding the Inner Circle: The Benfica Contingent
Carrico’s arrival represents just one piece of a broader, Lisbon-sourced recruitment drive. Mourinho has heavily populated his backroom staff with trusted professionals from Benfica, establishing an incredibly tight-knit inner circle.
┌───────────────────────────────────┐
│ JOSÉ MOURINHO │
│ (Head Coach) │
└─────────────────┬─────────────────┘
│
┌───────────────────────────┼───────────────────────────┐
▼ ▼ ▼
┌──────────────┐ ┌──────────────┐ ┌──────────────┐
│ Nuno Santos │ │Sandro Carrico│ │Antonio Pintus│
│ (Goalkeeps) │ │ (Physiology) │ │ (Fitness) │
└──────────────┘ └──────────────┘ └──────────────┘
│ │ │
▼ ▼ ▼
[Benf./Tottenham/Roma] [Benfica Cohort] [Madrid Icon]
This Lisbon-to-Madrid pipeline includes tactical minds like Joao Tralhao, Pedro Machado, Roberto Merella, and Antonio Dias. Most notably, the crucial role of goalkeeping coach will be occupied by Nuno Santos, who replaces the departing Llopis.
Santos and Mourinho share a remarkably deep professional bond that stretches back decades. Their relationship began in their twenties, when Mourinho was working as a young goalkeeping coach at Vitória de Setúbal and Santos was one of the players training directly under him. Over the years, Santos has become one of Mourinho’s most trusted lieutenants, accompanying him through highly demanding coaching stints at Tottenham Hotspur, AS Roma, and Benfica.
RMxtra Verdict: Mourinho Installs His Absolute Disciples
When José Mourinho signs on the dotted line, he doesn’t just bring his tactical notes; he imports an entire lifestyle, physical philosophy, and trusted brotherhood. While seeing a club legend like Luis Llopis step aside from first-team duties is incredibly tough to digest after his immense contributions to our European triumphs, it is a necessary part of giving Mourinho the complete autonomy he requires.
By placing his ultimate goalkeeping disciple Nuno Santos in charge of preparing Thibaut Courtois—who, as we know, has requested a total one-year international sabbatical to prioritize his club fitness—Mourinho is building an absolute fortress. The club has already officially updated the backroom staff roster on the website. With the training pitches now officially active, the stage is set for this elite Portuguese staff to return Real Madrid to domestic and European dominance.