Jose Mourinho cements power at Real Madrid

Mourinho fought with the former director general Jorge Valdano last season (REUTERS)

Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho has strengthened his position at the Bernabeu by becoming head of football operations.

Mourinho spent much of last season at loggerheads with director general Jorge Valdano but emerged victorious as the club legend was fired earlier this summer.

The subsequent restructuring has also worked in his favour, giving the Portuguese coach more control of affairs away from the pitch.

Mourinho, under pressure to deliver this season having won only the Spanish cup last term, will work alongside sporting director Zinedine Zidane in a two-pronged approach.