Guler's Real Madrid Future
Jose Mourinho Calls Arda Guler to Discuss Future Plans at Real Madrid
José Mourinho personally called Arda Güler on June 23, just hours after Turkey was knocked out of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Mourinho told the 21-year-old midfielder: "We will win titles together," and made clear that Güler is "non-transferable" at Real Madrid, according to Madrid Universal.
The call came at Güler's lowest moment. Turkey failed to score a single goal in two group-stage matches, losing 2-0 to Australia and 1-0 to Paraguay before their exit was confirmed. Güler publicly called himself "ashamed" of the team's performance. Mourinho's intervention was swift and direct — a clear signal of how much he values the young Turk heading into his new era at the Bernabéu.
Mourinho Returns to Madrid, Güler Becomes His First Priority
Florentino Pérez was re-elected as Real Madrid president on June 7. He immediately moved to bring Mourinho back to the club after 13 years away. Real Madrid officially signed Mourinho on June 11 on a three-year deal running until 2029. To secure his release from Benfica, the club paid a $17.3 million (€15m) buyout clause, according to beIN SPORTS.
Before his appointment was even official, Mourinho had already identified Güler as a "fundamental piece" of his project, according to Yahoo Sports. The call on June 23 was not a formality — it was a deliberate move to lock in Güler's loyalty before pre-season begins on July 13 at Valdebebas.
Bernardo Silva Signing Raises Questions About Güler's Role
On June 12, Real Madrid confirmed the signing of Bernardo Silva from Manchester City. Silva is a world-class creative midfielder — exactly the position Güler plays. The move immediately sparked debate over how both players can start in the same lineup, according to Madrid Universal.
Mourinho is expected to use a 4-2-3-1 formation. In that shape, Güler could play as the number 10 or cut in from the right — a role where he thrived late in the 2025/26 season. The club's view is that Silva and Güler are "complementary," not competing. Güler played over 3,000 minutes last season, scoring 6 goals and adding 14 assists.
Mourinho's Man-Management Mirrors His Özil Masterclass
Analysts are drawing direct comparisons to Mourinho's first spell at Madrid from 2010 to 2013. Back then, he took a raw young playmaker — Mesut Özil — and turned him into a global star. Güler's profile, a technically gifted creative midfielder from a non-traditional market, mirrors Özil's closely, according to Madrid Universal.
There is also a personal history at play. Mourinho managed Fenerbahçe in 2024-25 and had previously explored bringing Güler back to Istanbul on loan when the player was struggling for minutes at Madrid. That prior admiration helped build the trust behind this week's direct call. Expert Miguel Soriano says Madrid's board believes Mourinho is the "only manager" who can bring out Güler's "best version."
Turkey's World Cup Failure Gives Madrid an Unexpected Boost
Turkey's exit from the World Cup was painful. The team fired 62 shots across two matches and scored zero goals before elimination. It was one of the most inefficient World Cup campaigns on record. But for Real Madrid, the early exit has a silver lining: Güler can now join pre-season on July 13 instead of mid-August, giving him extra time to learn Mourinho's system before the season starts.
Turkey did beat the USA 3-2 in their final dead-rubber group game on June 25, with Güler featuring, but the result could not reverse their elimination. His contract at Madrid runs until June 30, 2029, and reports suggest a salary increase is being considered to match his growing importance at the club. No loan move or transfer is on the table — the Mourinho call made that clear.
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