Special One now out to prove the Real deal in Spain
And at Saturday night’s house-warming party in Madrid, the Portuguese coach revealed he is set to move permanently to the Spanish capital.
Real Madrid have long sought a coach to match their lofty ambitions and Mourinho has long been the man in their sights to return European glory to the Bernabeu.
Following their €250m outlay last summer, Madrid themselves had hoped to be celebrating a 10th European crown today.
That dream died long ago, but they were the hosts on Saturday night as Mourinho became a champion of Europe for a second time and the welcome extended to the Inter coach was for a long-term marriage, not a one-night fling.
After leading Inter to an unprecedented treble of Serie A, Coppa Italia and Champions League titles on Saturday night, Mourinho said: “It was difficult to leave Chelsea and it will be sad to leave Inter. Inter is my home in the same way Chelsea was my home. But that’s life, that’s football. Now I have two homes, Stamford Bridge and San Siro. And now I will have a third home – probably the Santiago Bernabeu.”
Pep Guardiola’s Barcelona also secured a treble of league, cup and Champions League last year, beforegoing on to win theSpanish and EuropeanSupercups and the FIFA World Club Cup to bag a record six titles in 2009.
It was thought Mourinho, who has collected trophies for fun in his eight years with Porto, Chelsea and Inter, may look toemulate Guardiola and win all six for the Italian side.
But thePortuguese was dismissive of the other three titles on offer in the next six months and, having won the important three, he clearly feels now is the time to coach Madrid.
“If you don’t coach Real Madrid then you always have a gap in your career,” he said.
“Only Real are interested in me but I haven’t spoken with anyone and I haven’t signed anything. I promised I’d speak after the final.”
Mourinho flew back to Milan to celebrate Saturday night’s triumph with his players, but Inter president Massimo Moratti stayedbehind in Madrid, probably to thrash out a deal with Real boss Florentino Perez.
Mourinho said he would talk to Perez this week.
“I don’t know the project yet, so I have to hear the project. Real is anenormous club, a club that wants the same as me; I want to win, I want to feel important, I want to keep winning.”
Mourinho’s move looks set to be finalised in the coming days and the focus then switches to the players the Portuguese will recruit.
And Inter’s matchwinner Diego Milito is oneman who could follow Mourinho to the Bernabeu.
“Let’s see what happens next year,” he said after scoring both of Inter’s goals and being named man of the match.
The Argentina forward claims he owes his ownsuccess to Mourinho. “I don’t have words todescribe how grateful I am to the coach for what he has done for me,” he said.
“He deserves this more than anybody. He is a great coach and worked so hard.”
Mourinho, meanwhile, believes he is leaving Inter in safe hands.
“The important thing for Inter is (club president Massimo) Moratti and (captain Javier) Zanetti stay,” he said.
Zanetti, making his 700th appearance for Inter,became the first Argentinian to lift a European Cup as captain.The 36-year- old,although euphoric atInter’s success, revealed he will be sad to see Mourinho go. “I am really sad Mourinho has decided to leave,” said Zanetti. “Weare sayinggoodbye to a great coach and a great man.”
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