British media outlet BBC Sport has detailed the major stories surrounding European football ahead of the new 2026/27 season. The focus is on the key changes and challenges facing top clubs, with a particular focus on the development in Spanish football.
The biggest surprise of the season is undoubtedly the return of Jose Mourinho to the Real Madrid bench. The Portuguese manager returns to the Santiago Bernabéu exactly 13 years after his first spell in Madrid. His appointment comes as the club seeks stability and solutions to long-standing squad issues.
Real Madrid signed Kylian Mbappé two years ago, in 2024, on the hope that he would finally win the Champions League and dominate La Liga. However, the expected dominance has not materialised, and the club has failed to meet its objectives in the domestic league or in the elite European competition.
Experts note that as a whole, the Real squad has failed to find the right cohesion. Last season, the team often looked like two different sides on the same pitch, which was one of the main reasons for the poorer results. The situation has been further complicated by the fact that Real had a group of four superstar attackers, which made tactical harmony difficult.
Regarding the fixture schedule, La Liga opens the new season with a match between Alaves and Getafe. That first match will take place on Saturday, 15 August, with kick-off at 18:30 in British Summer Time (BST). This match marks the beginning of a new era in Spanish football, in which answers to many open questions will be sought.
