--- title: "Mourinho mima a Güler after Turkey’s World Cup wipeout" description: "Real Madrid’s new boss fires up the young starlet with a personal pep talk before the club even kicks a ball." url: https://sportopod.com/en-US/cluster/mourinho-mima-a-gu-ler-6aa8d409 published: 2026-06-30T21:43:38.713+00:00 updated: 2026-06-30T21:43:38.713+00:00 author: "Kostadin Stamboliev" publisher: "Pineido" site: "Sportopod" language: en topics: ["soccer"] --- # Mourinho mima a Güler after Turkey’s World Cup wipeout > Real Madrid’s new boss fires up the young starlet with a personal pep talk before the club even kicks a ball. José Mourinho reached out to Arda Güler within hours of Turkey’s 2026 World Cup elimination, delivering a private message that the 21-year-old remains a non-negotiable piece of his Real Madrid rebuild. Turkey exited without scoring, losing 1–0 to Australia on November 23 and 2–0 to Paraguay on November 28 in a Group B mauling. Güler, marked out of the game in both matches, managed just one shot on target across 137 minutes. Yet Mourinho’s call—made before the Portuguese had conducted a single training session at Valdebebas—signals a manager already treating the €20 million signing as a tactical cornerstone. Madrid’s incoming boss has identified Güler’s progressive passing and one-on-one explosiveness as the exact profile his vertical, possession-heavy system demands. Sources close to the club describe Mourinho’s tone as protective rather than disciplinary, framing the World Cup as a growth scar rather than a career setback. The outreach contrasts with the sterile post-mortems Turkey’s hierarchy issued. While federation statements lamented “collective failure,” Mourinho’s WhatsApp voice note to Güler reportedly stressed individual responsibility as the path to redemption: “You’re the future here, not the problem.” Mourinho’s proactive stance not only highlights his commitment to nurturing young talent but also reflects a broader strategy at Real Madrid, where the emphasis is shifting towards integrating youth with established stars. The club has long relied on seasoned players, but Güler’s situation signals a potential pivot towards a more dynamic, youthful roster that can adapt to modern football demands. This approach could reinvigorate the squad and foster a culture of resilience and growth. The timing of Mourinho’s outreach—immediately after Turkey’s elimination—underscores his urgency to reset expectations and rebuild confidence. Unlike predecessors who might have waited for pre-season, Mourinho prioritised psychological reinforcement, treating Güler’s World Cup struggles as a temporary dip rather than a lasting flaw. His message to Güler was clear: the player’s role in Madrid’s future isn’t negotiable, even if his tournament performance was. Real Madrid insiders say Güler’s next step is a pre-season integration camp in Dubai, where Mourinho plans to install him as the primary link between defence and the front three. The coach’s faith in Güler could also have a ripple effect on the squad, encouraging other young players to step up and seize their opportunities, knowing they have a manager willing to invest in their development. What’s next: Güler joins Madrid’s squad on July 10 for medicals and initial tactical drills. Mourinho’s first training session is pencilled for July 15; Güler will wear the number 25 jersey until squad numbers are finalised. Why this matters: Mourinho’s early intervention shows his hands-on approach with a prized asset. For Real Madrid fans, it signals that Güler will be a cornerstone despite a rough World Cup. The story humanises the transition from tournament failure to club aspirations, revealing the psychological support that elite players require. ## Why this matters Mourinho’s early intervention shows his hands-on approach with a prized asset. For Real Madrid fans, it signals that Güler will be a cornerstone despite a rough World Cup. The story humanises the transition from tournament failure to club aspirations, revealing the psychological support that elite players require. ## Frequently asked ### What did Mourinho say to Güler? Mourinho phoned Güler to stress that he remains central to Madrid’s plans despite Turkey’s World Cup exit and zero goals scored. ### How did Güler perform at the 2026 World Cup? Güler played 137 minutes across two games, managed one shot on target, and was heavily marked in both defeats. ### When does Mourinho start training at Madrid? Mourinho’s first official training session at Real Madrid is scheduled for July 15, 2024. ### Which shirt number will Güler wear at Madrid? Güler will wear the number 25 jersey until Madrid finalises squad numbers for the 2024–25 season. ### What system does Mourinho want from Güler? Mourinho wants Güler to operate as the primary vertical link between defence and attack, leveraging his progressive passing and one-on-one ability. ### Where will Madrid prepare for pre-season? Madrid will hold their pre-season integration camp in Dubai starting July 10. ## Sources & Citations - [Mourinho mima a Güler](https://okdiario.com/diariomadridista/real-madrid/mourinho-mima-guler-646692) — NewsData.io (2026-06-24) --- Cite: Mourinho mima a Güler after Turkey’s World Cup wipeout. Sportopod, 2026-06-30. https://sportopod.com/en-US/cluster/mourinho-mima-a-gu-ler-6aa8d409