Mourinho and Real Madrid’s youth coach Lopez chase historic European double

Jose Mourinho and Real Madrid youth-team manager Alvaro Lopez are heading into Tuesday’s trip to Athens with perfect European records, raising the possibility of a historic double at the top of the UEFA Champions League and UEFA Youth League.

The two Real Madrid coaches will meet on the flight carrying the senior and youth squads to Athens on 04 November 2026, where both teams will begin another round of their respective European campaigns.

Mourinho is aiming to move to the top of the UEFA Champions League after winning all three of his matches so far, against Inter, Roma and Leipzig. Lopez, meanwhile, will be seeking to protect the historic lead he established after his side’s third victory over Leipzig in the previous round of the UEFA Youth League.

The trip also renews a relationship that began during Mourinho’s first spell in charge of Real Madrid. In 2012, the Portuguese manager gave Lopez his senior-team debut, long before the former player moved into coaching.

Fourteen years later, the pair are enjoying highly successful starts to the season at Valdebebas. Their progress has revived a story that Marca first highlighted last season, before Mourinho’s return to Real Madrid had been confirmed.

Strong starts for both coaches

Mourinho will arrive in Athens after guiding Real Madrid to seven consecutive victories. The run has taken the club’s total to 12 wins from 14 matches this season, with an 86% success rate across La Liga and the UEFA Champions League.

Lopez’s record is even stronger in terms of his overall winning percentage. He has led Real Madrid’s third team in the club’s structure to 11 victories in 12 matches, giving him a 92% success rate.

His team’s results have come in three different competitions. They lead La Liga after recording seven wins and one draw, while they also sit top of the UEFA Youth League with three victories.

The side has added another success in the final of the Under-20 Intercontinental Cup, further strengthening Lopez’s remarkable start in charge.

If both teams maintain their current positions, Real Madrid could become leaders of the UEFA Champions League and UEFA Youth League at the same time. That would represent a historic achievement for the club and add another dimension to an already notable opening to the season.

Mourinho is also likely to take particular pride in Lopez’s progress. The Portuguese coach helped launch the career of his former young player, who is now making his mark in management, while Mourinho remains one of the most influential figures in Lopez’s coaching journey.