RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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Inside Sami Khedira’s growing influence in Mourinho’s Real Madrid staff
Sami Khedira has been a part of Jose Mourinho’s coaching staff from the get-go in his second stint at the club, and it is queer how closely his story with Real Madrid is linked with the manager.
For starters, Khedira arrived at Real Madrid after being specifically requested by Jose Mourinho after the 2010 World Cup. At that time, the coach was preparing for his first stint at the club and saw Khedira as a valuable piece.
16 years later, Mourinho is back for his second stint at the World Cup and has again called back the former player – this time to have an active role in his coaching staff .
What is Khedira’s role?
As reported by The Athletic , Mourinho wanted a figure who could act as a link between him and the squad, ideally someone with a deep understanding of how the club works. The German legend’s CV met those criteria.
A long-standing bond. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)
He wanted someone strong and charismatic in the dressing room who could directly serve as an assistant coach and help on the tactical side of things.
Khedira, for his part, has already earned a coaching license but did not see himself cut out for that role.
He always felt an administrative and long-term strategist role suited him better, but there was no saying no to Mourinho and Real Madrid.
A role beyond coaching
As an assistant coach, one of Khedira’s jobs is to oversee training, organise drills and develop training sessions to improve the team’s condition.
Khedira is an important voice in the dressing room once again. (Photo by Sebastian Widmann/Getty Images)
There are, however, other experts involved in that aspect as well, while Khedira has a plethora of diverse roles in addition to the aforementioned routine.
The club legend has been tasked with improving the dynamics and standards within the team, especially given how he is fully aware of the demands placed on Real Madrid players.
He is highly respected by the dressing room and acts as an advisor to players and the manager by giving his honest opinion on several diverse topics.
Further, his fitness standards are so high that he even participates in training with the team at times. Some even joke internally that he can still play for the team.
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