Marca reports that Mourinho's inner circle is built around two assistant coaches — understood to be Rafael Benitez's former number two Pedro Marques and an additional specialist — alongside dedicated analysts and physical preparation staff.
A space remains open for a figure with ties to the club or significant experience in Spanish football, but Mourinho has not yet begun approaching candidates for that role. Those around him say he will wait until the appointment is formally announced before making that call.
The approach reflects Mourinho's characteristic methodology — defined, controlled and designed to establish authority from the first day.
"I like to be there the next day, seeing who arrives first and who arrives later, and immediately starting to accelerate things," he has said of his working style.
Despite the arrival of his trusted group, sources close to Mourinho have been emphatic that he does not intend to walk into Valdebebas and remove existing employees.
"He is not going to arrive and do a clean-out. There is no intention to antagonise, push aside or fire anyone. He wants to be a unifying element."
Mourinho's stated desire to integrate rather than replace is a notable departure from some of the narratives that defined his first period at the club between 2010 and 2013, when his requirement for total control ultimately drove out sporting director Jorge Valdano and created persistent friction within the squad.
The formal announcement of his appointment is expected once Real Madrid's presidential elections are concluded, with Florentino Pérez running effectively unopposed. Mourinho has already communicated his squad priorities to the club's sporting structure — a right-back, a centre-back and a central midfielder are identified as the minimum requirements, with significant defensive restructuring needed following the departures of Dani Carvajal and the expected exits of Fran García and Eduardo Camavinga.
He has also communicated his admiration for the squad's existing star players. His willingness to build around Vinícius Júnior, Kylian Mbappé and Jude Bellingham — rather than dismantle the attacking investment Florentino Pérez has made — is understood to be one of the reasons the Madrid president pressed ahead with the appointment.