Sports
'Enthusiastic' Mourinho unveiled at Real
2010-Jun-1 09:28:44

MILAN - Jose Mourinho said he hoped to sprinkle some of his magic over Real Madrid when he was unveiled as the Spanish giants' new coach on Monday.

'Enthusiastic' Mourinho unveiled at Real
Real Madrid's new coach Jose Mourinho (R) of Portugal holds his Real Madrid shirt next to club president Florentino Perez as they pose at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid, May 31, 2010. Mourinho, who signed a four-year contract, signalled a determination to do things his way and make subtle changes to the way Real Madrid operate after he was unveiled as coach on Monday. [Photo/Agencies]

The Portuguese joins Real on a four-year deal in the wake of leading Inter Milan to an historic treble of successes in Italy's Serie A championship, the Italian Cup and Champions League.

Mourinho, who replaces Manuel Pellegrini after the Chilean failed to bring league or Champions League success to the club, said he would not change his combative approach to the game.

"I don't know if I was born to coach Real Madrid but I was born to be a football coach. I love important challenges," he said.

"I am Jose Mourinho and I don't change. I arrive with all my qualities and my defects.

"My attraction to Real Madrid is due to its history, its frustrations in recent years and its expectations to win.

"It's a unique club and I believe that not to coach Real leaves a void in a coach's career.

"Luckily, I've had a beautiful career and it makes me proud to have come here. I am very enthusiastic.

"I want my players to think that way.

"The beauty is not so much to train or play at Real but to win at Real Madrid."

Mourinho made his name when he led FC Porto to the Champions League title in 2004.

A hugely successful spell followed at Chelsea and despite leaving the club before it went on to lose the 2008 final to Manchester United, he resurrected his career with Inter.

His two-year spell at the Serie A side has left him as one of the most in-demand coaches in football.

And the no-nonsense Portuguese said he was confident he can bring similar success to Real during his four-year spell at the Santiago Bernabeu.

"I am a coach that has a lot of self-esteem and confidence and I don't think about the possibility of being sacked," he said.

"I think four years of contract is enough to win, to build a strong team for the present and the future.

"I have a lot of confidence in my players, I have the hope that my new players have confidence in me."

Mourinho said little about what changes, if any, he would bring to the squad, placing his focus on the need to forge a winning identity throughout the club.

"It's too early to speak about changes," he said.

"I believe it's time to analyze the situation, to get to know my club, ask lots of questions and get answers.

"The most important thing is not the coach or the players but the club.

"If we work as a group, it's not difficult to get results. I want this group to have an identity, to win everything.

"The strength of my team is always the team and not the individuals."

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