Harry Kane says Real Madrid will improve under Mourinho
Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane says Real Madrid will improve under Portuguese manager Jose Mourinho, adding that the veteran coach has already made the Spanish giants a tougher Champions League opponent. Kane, who netted 73 goals in 65 matches for Bayern and England in 2025‑26, voiced his respect in a interview.
Mourinho's second spell at Real
Jose Mourinho returned to Real Madrid as manager at the start of the summer, instantly generating buzz about the club’s ambitions. The Portuguese tactician has long been described as a maverick wherever he has worked, and other clubs are keen to see what he can achieve in this second spell. His reputation for reshaping dressing rooms adds another layer of intrigue to Madrid’s campaign. His tactical flexibility is expected to complement Madrid’s already potent attack.
Kane praises Mourinho's influence
Kane recalled his own successful period under Mourinho at Tottenham, where he won the Golden Boot and the most‑assists award in the same season. “He gave me a lot of freedom to be myself, to play and to drop deep,” the England captain said, adding that Mourinho understands every detail of the game. The striker stressed that, despite not seeing each other often since Mourinho left Tottenham, a potential Champions League clash could bring them face to face again. Kane also recalled that Mourinho’s man‑management helped him thrive in high‑pressure matches.
Kane believes Mourinho has already made Real Madrid a more formidable opponent in the Champions League. “Real have signed good players and Mou is a great coach who will get the best out of the players he has,” he explained. He warned that facing Madrid in the latter stages will be even tougher than the difficult tie they endured last season. The manager’s emphasis on defensive organisation could also tighten a side that sometimes leaks goals.
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The England striker also highlighted Jude Bellingham’s brilliant start at Madrid, noting that Mourinho was a frequent topic among the England squad during the World Cup. “Jude and I had a great connection on and off the pitch, and he already seems to have a strong relationship with Jose,” Kane said. He added that Bellingham’s intensity and willingness to influence every phase of a match fit Mourinho’s preferred player profile. Kane noted that Bellingham’s ability to press high aligns with Mourinho’s preferred intensity.
Champions League and Ballon d’Or stakes
Both Kane and Kylian Mbappé are among the favourites for the 2026 Ballon d’Or, with the Englishman’s 73‑goal haul placing him firmly in the conversation. Kane, however, shied away from self‑promotion, describing his previous season as “by far the best season of my career” but refusing to campaign aggressively. The award’s voting will consider performances across both domestic leagues and European competition. The looming Champions League showdown with Real Madrid adds further drama to the individual award race.
Kane reiterated that Real Madrid always feature some of the world’s best players and that a clash later in the competition is highly likely. “We know there is a good chance we’ll face them later in the competition,” he said, emphasizing the importance of preparing for a team that consistently reaches the latter rounds. The striker’s respect for Mourinho’s ability to galvanise his squad underlines the tactical intrigue of a possible encounter. Preparing for such a clash, Bayern will likely study Mourinho’s recent tactical tweaks.
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The contrast between Kane’s admiration for Mourinho’s methods and the Portuguese manager’s reputation for transforming clubs highlights why their potential meeting in Europe carries such weight. As both sides prepare for a season where Real aim to improve and Bayern hope to dominate, the football world will be watching closely.