Mourinho’s style not so Special, blasts Robben
Robben worked under Inter Milan boss Mourinho during his time at Chelsea and believes the Portuguese is happy to sacrifice attractive football for results.
The Holland winger said: “He puts out a winning team, it doesn’t matter if it’s done with nice football or not.
“The philosophy at Bayern is the coach (Louis van Gaal) wants to win games by playing nice football.”
The 26-year-old added: “As a player you want to play and enjoy the game, that’s also an important part.”
A change in tactics ultimately led to Robben’s departure from Stamford Bridge for Real Madrid.
“I was working with him three years at Chelsea. It was a successful time, he’s a big personality and as a coach of a top team you need to be,” stated Robben.
“But we started to play more in this diamond without wingers, which is not good for me. The system changed a bit so I made my decision and left.”
Bayern coach van Gaal, meanwhile, has promised not to walk out on the club if they win the Champions League tomorrow.
The Dutchman has already led Bayern to the Bundesliga and DFB-Pokal titles in his first year in charge and would hardly be able to improve on that next season should he clinch an historic treble.
However, he has rubbished speculation claiming he would depart in the event of victory over Inter Milan. But he can imagine leaving the club 12 months down the line.
“Even if we do actually win the treble, then I will certainly stay another year with FC Bayern,” he said.
“Although it would then be difficult to improve things, I have already spoken to people here about next season so I cannot now leave.
“But if the board were to come to me and suggest extending my contract beyond 2011, I would turn them down.
“I am certainly staying with Bayern until 2011 and then we will make up our mind. Maybe the board doesn’t want to work with me after then anyway.”
When van Gaal, who had a two-year spell as Holland boss between 2000 and 2002, does leave, he will not necessarily be retiring. He has one final ambition to crown his glittering coaching career.
“I want to become coach of a national team for a country which has the chance of winning a big tournament like a European Championships or a World Cup,” he said.
“And if I was the ‘Bondscoach’, which is what the national team manager is called in Holland, then I would have more time for (my wife) Truus too.”
Meanwhile, Inter Milan goalkeeper Julio Cesar insists Mourinho has a “secret” plan up his sleeve to beat Bayern Munich in tomorrow’s final.
The self-proclaimed Special One is aiming to finally end Inter’s 45-year wait since their last European Cup win when the Nerazurri take on the German champions at Real Madrid’s Bernabeu stadium.
Mourinho made his name by leading Porto to the title in 2004 before moving to Chelsea, where he failed to repeat the feat and was eventually sacked.
Inter, like Chelsea, are desperate to finally bring the famous trophy back to their cabinet after four years of domestic dominance and are closer than they have been for years, having reached the 1972 final.
Mourinho’s side will be favourites heading into the tie, although Bayern are in the final on merit having impressed en route to the showpiece.
Julio Cesar, however, has complete faith in his boss’ preparations.
“Mourinho is a systematic type,” he said. “
He is precise, he takes it very seriously. He alone scares opponents. As for a technique to beat Bayern, for now this is a secret. People will have to watch the game on Saturday!”
Striker Samuel Eto’o has sought to ease the pressure on his side by warning tomorrow’s final must not become “an obsession”.
The Cameroon striker, twice a Champions League winner with Barcelona, insists no good can come from desperation.
“This must be a dream final for us. We will lose if it turns into obsession,” he said. I know that Inter fans have waited a lifetime for this moment.
“(But) we need the right attitude and the willingness to fight. I’ve played two finals, but both against English teams.
“This is a different story as Bayern are in form and are a great squad.”
The final will be refereed by Premier League official Howard Webb, who will have Michael Mullarkey and Darren Cann as his assistants with Martin Atkinson the fourth official.
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