José Mourinho, recently announced as Real Madrid’s newest coach, broke his silence in his first public appearance since returning to the Spanish club. In a detailed interview with Vanity Fair Magazine, the Portuguese coach expressed his appreciation for the team and explained the reasons that motivated him to accept the challenge of a new move.
“Real Madrid’s great trajectory has no parallels with that of any other team in the world”, declared Mourinho at the beginning of his statements.
“There is an undeniable magic in this club’s white shirt”, added the coach. “When we mention Real Madrid, we are referring to the rich history and vast heritage of world football. Real’s greatness was not only built by the players who played for it, but by the numerous titles achieved and the historical legacy it carries.”
The coach, known for his sometimes acidic and ironic rhetoric throughout his career, signaled a different working style for this start of his second journey in charge of merengue. The context is challenging: the club ended the last season without trophies and, therefore, the new cycle begins under intense pressure and expectations from the fans, demanding a more careful approach from the coach.
“My priority now is not to speak, but to listen. I come here to help, not to point out flaws or criticize,” said Mourinho, outlining his philosophy. This approach is in line with previous information about the “five commandments” that will guide the coach in his new mission at the head of the Merengue locker room, as previously announced.
“I never aimed to be more prominent than my own players. Charisma, after all, is not something that can be readily acquired anywhere”, commented the Portuguese, reinforcing the centrality of athletes in his project.
The conversation also discussed the name of Kylian Mbappé. The talented French striker has been at the center of recent discussions at Real Madrid, whether due to his defensive contribution on the field, supposed friction with other members of the squad, or the boos he received from the fans at the Santiago Bernabéu, indicating an unstable relationship with the public and part of the group, which makes Mourinho’s management crucial for internal harmony.
However, Mourinho minimized the controversies by declaring that his focus will be on supporting the star. “Mbappé is an exceptional player and my intention is to help him reach an even higher level of performance”, guaranteed the coach.
With a contractual relationship that extends until 2029 with the Spanish giant, José Mourinho is expected to officially begin his activities in charge of the Merengue team in the first fortnight of July.