Jose Mourinho’s Real Madrid rebuild begins as major signing announced

27 May 2026 14:06 BST | 4 min read

Jose Mourinho, Real Madrid, 2025/26 — © IMAGO

Robin Bairner | Chief Editor

Accredited football journalist and editor covering the game since 2006

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Jose Mourinho may not have been announced as Real Madrid’s next manager, but his pawprints are all over the decision to award Antonio Rudiger a new contract at the Bernabeu.

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Rudiger was one of the players whose future was under serious doubt in the Spanish capital. His current contract expires at the end of June, while he was recently involved in a training ground incident with Aurelien Tchouameni that left him requiring hospital treatment.

But the veteran Germany defender’s fortunes appear to have changed dramatically, with Fabrizio Romano announcing that he has agreed a new contract with Real Madrid.

Current ETV

Antonio Rüdiger

D (C)

Real Madrid

Antonio Rüdiger

D (C)

Real Madrid

ETV Range

€8.1M - €11M

Rudiger agrees one-year Real Madrid extension

“Antonio Rudiger is going to stay at Real Madrid. Agreement done,” Romano told his YouTube channel.

“Agreement closed between Antonio Rudiger and Real Madrid. It's done. One more season for the German defender at Real Madrid.

“Rudiger had plenty of options. The Saudis wanted him one year ago and were still interested in the player. There were Italian clubs calling for Rudiger, but the answer of the player was always priority to Real Madrid, the desire to continue at Real Madrid.

“And now the agreement is done, is closed. Toni Rudiger will sign a new one-year contract at Real Madrid.

“Part of the Madrid policy, one year for who is over 30, apart from some rare exceptions like Thibaut Courtois.

“There are also many questions on Kylian Mbappe, but absolutely nothing is happening. No news on Vinicius, but the news on Real Madrid is on Toni Rudiger, who is going to be officially staying at the club with one more year of contract.”

A deal with all Mourinho’s hallmarks

There may have been some doubts cast over Mourinho’s appointment at Real Madrid due to the impending presidential election on 7 June, but the decision to award Rudiger a new deal is doubtless one that the Portuguese would approve of.

The centre-back is the type of physical, menacing and streetwise leader that Mourinho has always charged with leading his defences. Former Real Madrid star Pepe remains the archetypal Mourinho central defender. At Chelsea, he could call upon John Terry and also Ricardo Carvalho, who he also coached at Porto. Even at Benfica, Mourinho’s back four is led by Nicolas Otamendi.

Rudiger is a player who very much follows in this lineage.

Equally, Real Madrid have conducted this deal out of a sense of practicality. While there is a need for a defensive overhaul, conducting this in one summer promises to be challenging – particularly with Mourinho’s appointment both delayed and more expensive than previously budgeted.

By signing Rudiger to a new contract, Real Madrid have at least some sense of certainty what to expect of their defence next season, with the veteran a player who fits into Mourinho’s old school mould.

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