Real Madrid 'played the best football in the world' says Jose Mourinho after signing new contract
Related articles
Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho believes his team have played the best football in the world this year - and says they will only get better.
The Spanish champions announced yesterday they had agreed a contract extension that will tie Mourinho, who signed an initial four-year deal when he joined the club in 2010, to the Bernabeu until June 2016.
The 49-year-old led Madrid to the Copa del Rey crown in his first season in charge and in the campaign just completed he guided the club to their first Primera Division title since 2008.
Mourinho's men crashed out of the Champions League at the semi-final stage in each of the last two terms, but he claims they nevertheless will have gained many fans due to having played the best football on the planet.
"At the start of the campaign that's just finished I told my men I did not want to prioritise," he said on www.realmadrid.com.
"I didn't want to choose one championship over another. I've always said we have to improve collectively and individually, and that we must play football to win both games and supporters.
"I'm sure Real Madrid gained many supporters throughout the world this year because we played the best football in the world despite not winning the Champions League.
"But we did win the toughest league title with fantastic football, and I think that's what's most important. We have to keep it up."
Madrid got their hands on a 32nd Primera Division title after a record-breaking 2011/12 season.
They became the first Spanish club ever to reach 100 points in a top-flight campaign, finishing nine clear of Barcelona, while their tally of 121 league goals was also a record.
Their success saw Mourinho become the first coach to win the league in Spain, England (Chelsea) and Italy (Inter Milan).
And, ominously, Mourinho reckons the Madrid squad is still improving.
"I've always said this squad is young and that its' best years are yet to come," the Portuguese added.
"It isn't a squad with players on the verge of extinction or playing their final years of top tier football. The club, with its incredible social reach and structure, can adapt to the times and to what we're trying to do.
"As a manager, I always try to grow and improve. I've loved the professional experience I've had of working for different clubs in different countries and cultures, and to learn from that while giving my best. I've loved that process.
"It's different for me now because I'm thinking about a club long term, and that club is Real Madrid, which has been more demanding and has forced me to do my absolute best due to its difficulties.
"I've had to improve as a coach and a professional. I think it is the perfect challenge for the next four years because you always have to do more when things are hardest.
"I need these great challenges in the maturity of my career; I need things to force me to be better."
PA
Latest in Sport
Sport blogs
New day (slowly) rising – As Brasileirão gets underway, Brazilian football stumbles, rather than leaps into the future
The average Serie A crowd last year was 13,000 - comparable to Australia’s A-League.
by James Young
24 May 2013 04:31 PM
iBet: Mercedes and Hamilton to roar in Monaco
Monaco is a street circuit where driver ability is more important than anywhere else and if we take ...
by Gareth Purnell
24 May 2013 02:00 AM
On The Road at the Giro d’Italia: It sounds sadistic, but the team live for the mountain stages
Three weeks ago as I drove off the Eurostar, I remember thinking what a very long time it was until ...
by Martin Ayres
23 May 2013 05:29 PM
-
Borussia Dortmund v Bayern Munich: 50 things you should know about the Champions League final
-
The Calvin report: Stirring Champions League final shows how far English game must advance
-
Borussia Dortmund 1 Bayern Munich 2 match report: Arjen Robben proves Mr Reliant for for Bayern
-
Boxing: Revenge for Carl Froch with unanimous decision over Mikkel Kessler
-
England's versatile quartet to replace old rearguard
Get your summer started with British Military Fitness
BMF is the UK’s biggest and best loved outdoor fitness classes
Visit York
Find out what The Independent's resident travel expert has to say about one of the most beautiful small cities in the world
Making reading fun for kids
Nook is donating eReaders to volunteers at high-need schools and participating in exclusive events throughout the campaign.
Introducing the 'Get Reading' campaign
Get the latest on The Evening Standard's campaign to get London's children reading.
Enter the latest Independent competitions
Win anything from gadgets to five-star holidays on our competitions and offers page.
Business videos from commercial thought leaders
Watch the best in the business world give their insights into the world of business.
Andrew Mitchell: 'It's no good feeling hard done by'
Corruption and the FCO: Blue skies, white sands, dark clouds
Fallen angel: Winona Ryder bounces back
Patrick Cockburn: Civil war looms in Iraq
Conquering Everest: 60 facts about the world's tallest mountain
Killing with kindness: Burma's religious battleground



Comments