Copy linkFacebookXPinterestEmailShare this article 0Join the conversationFollow usAdd us as a preferred source on GoogleNewsletterSubscribe to our newsletterReal Madrid begin their La Liga campaign on Saturday for the first time since 2013, theyll be under the management of Jose Mourinho.The Portuguese boss previously spent three years at the Bernabeu, winning the league in 2012, during a time when Barcelona had both Pep Guardiola and Lionel Messi.After a spell at Benfica last term, Mourinho was reappointed this summer by Florentino Perez, who believes he could be the man to turn things around after a difficult couple of seasons for Real Madrid.Latest Videos FromFourFourTwoWatch full video here: Real Madrid great gives his verdictFormer Bernabeu favourite Steve McManaman works as a co-commentator and analyst for Disney+, who will screen Real Madrids opening match at Espanyol this weekend.McManaman is fascinated by the clubs decision to rehire Mourinho, and is sure it will make the La Liga season an entertaining one. You may like Why Jose Mourinhos Real Madrid return is doomed to fail How to watch La Liga 2026/27: TV Guide, Streams & Fixtures Jose Mourinho's first Real Madrid signing set to be Champions League winning midfielder Hes going to have to do well, McManaman told FFT. Thats why hes been brought back its as simple as that, hes got one job, and that job is to finish above Barcelona.With all respect to Atletico Madrid, Villarreal etc, the team they need to beat is Barcelona. Theyre the strongest side, so thats his job to usurp them. Challenging for the Champions League is secondary.Get FourFourTwo NewsletterThe best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week.Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.Hansi Flick has done the most incredible job since hes been at Barcelona theyre starting to get their finances in an upward trajectory, Camp Nou will bring in more and more people, therefore helping their financial situation, and with the signing of one of the worlds best players in Rodri, that will strengthen them as well, as will Anthony Gordon.It will be a hell of a La Liga season itll be fireworks all around, watching Jose and everybody.Real Madrid have spent heavily to add the likes of Yan Diomande and Marc Cucurella to their squad, but Barcelona have won the title in each of the past two seasons, and McManaman knows Perez cannot afford that to happen again. What to read next Fulham strike stunning double deal with Real Madrid: report Manchester City have failed to win the title in back-to-back seasons, can Enzo Maresca succeed where Pep Guardiola was starting to falter? Manchester City 2026-27 season preview Lionel Messi plus Neymar plus Kylian Mbappe made everyone anticipate an enhanced version of all three, but you need a structure behind them. They were all born to be number one Mauricio Pochettino on his key Paris Saint-Germain challenge There was a lot of criticism about them last year and they have to turn it around, he says.Either you win things, or you dont and youre losers, arent you? Its as simple as that. When its as cut and dry and as black and white as it is in Spain, when its Real Madrid and Bara, if your main rivals win, its a disaster.So its up to Real Madrid to sort themselves out and try to come strong. Its going to be a hell of a contest this year.Barcelona were excellent last year and for all their frailties you saw them at times and thought How on earth can they keep winning?, because they let in a number of goals the proof is in the pudding. Theyve been winning and theyve been successful.The only blot on their campaign was their loss to Atletico Madrid in the Champions League, and that was circumstances, red cards etc.Bringing in Rodri, he will be the metronome, theyve got the Pedris and the like around him and a new quick forward line with Lamine Yamal and Anthony Gordon, as well as Rafinha, thats exciting.Expect lots of goals in La Liga this year, and fantastic football, certainly between the top two.I dont want to keep saying the top two because hopefully you want to see Atletico, Villarreal and other teams challenging, but the two biggest teams have invested more than anybody this summer and look as if theyre going to be streets clear.ESPN on Disney+ is home to live LALIGA action every Saturday night, bringing the best of Spanish football to fans across the UKTOPICSJose MourinhoSteve McManamanReal MadridBarcelonaLa LigaChris FlanaganSocial Links NavigationSenior Staff WriterChris joined FourFourTwo in 2015 and has reported from more than 20 countries, in places as varied as Ivory Coast and the Arctic Circle. He's interviewed Pele, Zlatan and Santa Claus (it's a long story), as well as covering the World Cup, AFCON and the Clasico. He previously spent 10 years as a newspaper journalist, and completed the 92 in 2017.
