Mourinho’s Real Madrid European revival bid starts with Inter reunion

Jose Mourinho, who previously led Inter Milan to Champions League success, returns to the Spanish capital this Tuesday to lead Real Madrid in their quest for European glory. After spending two seasons without a major trophy at Madrid, Mourinho's primary objective is to lift the club back onto the throne of European competition. As the 63-year-old coach points out, only five managers have won the trophy more times than himself, including his own triumph with Porto in 2004.

"My attraction to Real Madrid is due to its history, its frustrations in recent years and its expectations to win," Mourinho stated in 2010, sentiments that still resonate today. In his first tenure at Madrid, he helped disrupt Barcelona's dominance within Spain, but was unable to help Madrid end their 10-year trophy drought. Carlo Ancelotti and Zinedine Zidane later claimed three and six titles respectively during their time at the club.

Under current president Florentino Perez, Mourinho's arrival aims to build on the foundations laid by previous champions. With Real Madrid's grip on the trophy weakening in recent years, Mourinho's challenge is to prove both his own capabilities and Madrid's ability to reign supreme in Europe once again, particularly in preventing Paris Saint-Germain from retaining their third consecutive European title.