The "Brutal" Pepe Also Returns to Real Madrid

Former defender Pepe, renowned for his aggressive playing style, is reportedly joining José Mourinho's coaching staff at Real Madrid as an assistant coach. Numerous Spanish and Portuguese outlets confirm that the 43-year-old Portuguese will assist "The Special One" in his second stint at the Santiago Bernabéu, which begins following Florentino Pérez's re-election as president. Pepe retired from professional football two years ago.

Kepler Laveran Lima Ferreira, known in football as Pepe, arrived at Real Madrid from Porto. Between 2007 and 2017, he was one of José Mourinho's key "soldiers" during the epic seasons battling against the historic Barcelona side, led on the pitch by Lionel Messi.

Pepe was an excellent center-back – quick, decisive, and tactically astute. However, he sometimes played with extreme physicality, leading to red cards for his aggressive tackles. The most serious incident occurred in the Real Madrid-Getafe match during the 2008/09 season. On April 21, 2009, he stomped on opponent Javier Casquero in the penalty area. In the ensuing confrontation after the penalty and red card, he also struck another opposing player, Juan Ángel Albín, in the face. He was subsequently banned for ten matches.

Two seasons later, Mourinho took over as coach of the "Blancos," and Pepe became one of his most trusted lieutenants in the clashes against Barcelona, where sparks flew both on and off the pitch. The Madrid center-back was a central figure in the most tense moments. Beyond this darker side, the footballing talent of the Brazilian-born Portuguese international (Maceió, Alagoas, February 26, 1983) is undeniable, boasting a career full of titles. Among them are Euro 2016 and the 2019 Nations League with Portugal, as well as three Champions League trophies (2013/14, 2015/16, and 2016/17) with Real Madrid, accumulating a total of 29 accolades across his national team career, two spells at Porto, and his time at Real Madrid.