World Cup
Sami Khedira joins Real Madrid as Mourinho assistant
Sami Khedira will become an assistant coach at Real Madrid under José Mourinho, with his duties set to start in July 2026. The move marks Khedira's first senior bench role.
Fabrizio Romano confirmed the appointment, noting that it fits into Mourinho's ongoing staff‑building since signing his contract as Real Madrid manager. Khedira will join a backroom team that includes João Tralhão and Pedro Machado as fellow assistants.
Khedira spent five seasons at the Bernabéu from 2010 to 2015 after arriving from VfB Stuttgart as one of Mourinho's early signings. During that spell he won La Liga, the Copa del Rey and the Supercopa, and later added a World Cup winner's medal to his résumé before moving to Juventus on a free transfer.
According to reports, Khedira's role extends beyond tactics to act as a liaison between the dressing room, coaching staff and club hierarchy, a function that favored his multilingual profile. He was chosen ahead of former teammate Pepe, with Mourinho personally advocating for his inclusion. The staff also features António Dias as fitness coach, Roberto Merella as performance analyst and Nuno Santos as goalkeeping coach.
Khedira is expected to report for pre‑season in early July 2026, as Mourinho's second cycle at Real Madrid begins. The full staff structure will be unveiled ahead of the 2026–27 campaign, shaping the club's strategic direction.