Real Madrid fans fall back in love with ‘GOAT’ Jose Mourinho after action-packed first 15 minutes as Bellingham scores

IT ONLY took Jose Mourinho 15 minutes to get Real Madrid fans purring once again – but things quickly changed. The new old manager got off to a brilliant start in his competitive return on Saturday night, going 1-0 up early against Espanyol. Real Madrid fans were feasting on a tasty start to Jose Mourinho’s return Credit: AP But things turned sour shortly after Credit: EPA And The Special One did everything right with an attack-minded XI taking the game to their opponents. Mourinho, who is back in LaLiga after 13 years away, had an entertaining opening to the season with Jude Bellingham and Arda Guler playing alongside Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Jr. Sign up for the Football newsletter Thank you! Bernardo Silva was deeper in midfield next to Fede Valverde – and Vini even pressed from the front. Guler, who had an up-and-down time under Xabi Alonso and Alvaro Arbeloa, assisted Bellingham just nine minutes in to leave viewers enthralled. Madrid passed with purpose, pressing forward and going on the front foot. Vinicius – a strong target for Arsenal before signing a new contract with Los Blancos, no small part down to Mourinho – showed more energy off the ball than before. And England World Cup superstar Bellingham was “playing like 2005 [Frank] Lampard” according to some on social media. Someone else wrote: “very promising performance by Mourinho Ball”. Most read in Sport BEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UK Mou was even up to his old tricks as he jumped off the bench to complain to the ref at one point. It had certain watchers calling him the Goat once more. But then it all went wrong. Madrid went into the break level and opinions swayed. A defensively disastrous goal was conceded and some of the worst aspects of recent Mourinho teams emerged. Many were already predicting his downfall and a short stint in charge. An X user said: “Commander in Chief Jose Mourinho your days are Numbered”. Los Blancos went ahead early against Espanyol and had viewers purring Credit: Getty The Special One was left frustrated as they conceded and slowed down Credit: AP Another commented: “Mourinho pls fix this defense”. A far cry from his Inter or original Madrid side, this one reverted back to its ways of the past two seasons – which both ended trophyless. Mourinho cut a frustrated figure on the bench with his grey hair and light polo. He sat back in his chair open mouthed as Mbappe sent a free-kick over the bar. A supporter suggested: “mourinho looks like he’s gonna have a heart attack icl [I can’t lie]”. Then the negativity kicked in. “Jose Mourinho is washed” was one reply. And a different account cried: “Got pumpfaked by Mourinho ball in the first 25 mins”. After an hour, all that early momentum had slowed and the trajectory was on the way down. Fans may well think that Mourinho is heading in the same direction. Comment now