New Real Madrid head coach José Mourinho says he is on a “mission” to restore the club’s culture as he begins his second spell in charge of the Spanish giants.
The veteran Portuguese coach was at the club’s training ground on Friday overseeing preparations for the start of pre-season next week after being appointed in June as successor to Álvaro Arbeloa.
Mourinho returns to the Santiago Bernabéu following a disappointing two-year spell in which Real Madrid failed to win a major trophy. His appointment has been widely viewed as an effort by club president Florentino Pérez to restore discipline, stability and a winning mentality within the squad.
“Words are not enough because this is like a mission,” Mourinho told Real Madrid TV.
“I’m not worried about myself or whether I will win a lot or a little. I am here to help everyone become better — the players, the staff — and to create a culture of hard work, responsibility, ambition and an understanding of the honour that comes with working for Real Madrid.”
Last season, the club struggled to manage a star-studded dressing room. Xabi Alonso left his role as head coach in January, while tensions reportedly boiled over in May when midfielders Aurélien Tchouaméni and Fede Valverde clashed, leaving the Uruguayan requiring hospital treatment.
Neither Alonso nor Arbeloa succeeded in finding the right balance to maximise the talents of Kylian Mbappé, Jude Bellingham and Vinícius Júnior without disrupting the team’s overall structure.
During his first spell in charge between 2010 and 2013, Mourinho guided Madrid to a La Liga title, a Copa del Rey triumph and a Supercopa de España, while building a fiercely competitive side capable of challenging Pep Guardiola’s dominant Barcelona.
“It’s not about working at Real Madrid; it’s about working for Real Madrid,” Mourinho said.
“It is with that sense of mission that I have returned.”
Real Madrid have already strengthened their squad this summer with the signings of Marc Cucurella, Bernardo Silva, Denzel Dumfries and Ibrahima Konaté.
AFP
