The Managers Slam Hydration Breaks And Discuss Jose Mourinho’s Real Madrid Challenge

The modern game continues to change, but not every development has won over football’s old guard, or indeed many of our readers.

Hydration breaks are a familiar sight during the 2026 World Cup, while Jose Mourinho’s return to Real Madrid has placed one of football’s biggest personalities back inside its most demanding dugout. 

Mick McCarthy and Tony Pulis discussed both topics alongside Chris Hughton on The Managers, the football podcast powered by LiveScore.

The Managers question World Cup hydration breaks

Hydration breaks are designed to protect players competing in extreme temperatures, but the lengthy stoppages are beginning to resemble tactical timeouts.

Pulis made his feelings clear.

He said: “Infantino, or whatever his name is is happy with that, he's getting money in. It's good for the financial game, its not good for football. I don’t like it.” They are often greeted by boos, and European fans can’t adapt to this Americanized version of football. 

The former Stoke City manager is not alone. The players need opportunities to take on fluids, but coaches are increasingly using the pause to gather their teams, deliver instructions and change the shape of matches.

Hughton believes there is a simple way to keep the breaks without allowing them to become extended team talks. The managers discussed banning team coaches from the Hydration Breaks, to keep the time taken to drink at a minimal. Each Hydration Break is timed at 3 minutes long, plenty of time for a well placed advertisement break for viewers in the USA.

He asked: “How long does it take to gulp?”

Hughton suggested moving the players away from the technical areas and preventing head coaches from becoming involved.

That would preserve the original purpose of the break while allowing the game to restart quickly. Player welfare remains the priority, but nobody wants football to become a stop-start sport.

Can Jose Mourinho conquer Real Madrid again?

Mourinho’s return to Real Madrid has reignited one of football’s most explosive relationships.

The Portuguese coach knows the pressure that comes with the Bernabeu. Winning is expected. Finishing second can feel like finishing last.

Pulis believes Mourinho still possesses the hunger required for the challenge.

He said: “He has still got that drive and determination, and going back there, that’s most probably lit the fire again.”

Madrid have dealt with enormous managerial personalities before, but Mourinho brings a particular edge. He demands attention, protects his players and rarely allows pressure to pass quietly.

Hughton believes his ability to manage elite dressing rooms remains one of his biggest strengths.

He explained: “He’s very good at dealing with the big players.”

That quality will be tested immediately.

Real Madrid is a club of superstars, enormous expectations and little patience. Every decision is examined and every dropped point becomes a crisis.

But Mourinho has never been built for quiet jobs. In Madrid, he has found a stage large enough to match him.