I Am Scouted by Real Madrid

Chapter 520: Chapter 15: The Madman (Part 2)

Mourinho faced the cameras and spoke eloquently: ”Obviously, he lacks control over the team.”

”This has forced me to spend some time searching for the person hidden within the team.”

”The environment of a team is certainly important, but a team needs to train and compete independently of the surrounding environment, not be influenced by the outside.”

”When he was there, this was not done very well.”

”I’ve been looking for the person leaking information, and I already have a target in mind.”

The journalist seemed displeased with Mourinho’s arrogance; perhaps he was one of those who supported Pellegrini not being dismissed, so he asked again about the issue of the main players within the team.

Faced with the question about irreplaceable main players, after pondering for a moment, Mourinho said: ”A player’s position as a main player must be earned.”

”Chen was able to become a main player because of his ability and discipline, not because he is the captain of Real Madrid.”

”On and off the field, he is a leader; he is irreplaceable. But I never told him he is an absolute main player; this status was earned through his own efforts. Hence, I can say, there are absolute main players in the team, but it’s not up to me, it’s up to their own performance.”

”Casillas is a main player, but he’s not an absolute main player because he is a World Champion and the captain of Real Madrid, but because of his hard training and strict self-management.”

Thinking of this, Mourinho continued: ”Take Marcelo for example; I didn’t like him before, because back then he wasn’t a defender at all, his style of play was more like a winger.”

”Now there’s a rumor that Real Madrid wants to buy Tottenham Hotspur’s Bell or someone else, but I emphasize that I don’t want to buy anyone because I am quite satisfied with Marcelo now; he not only excels at offense but his defensive abilities have improved rapidly. With him at the left-back position, we have enough, and there’s no need to buy anyone else.”

When asked about Real Madrid’s key positions, Mourinho answered: ”Undoubtedly, it’s Chen. Whether in offense or defense, he can produce impressive performances.”

Finally, Mourinho talked about Spanish football, English football, Italian football, and Portuguese football. He said: ”In Portugal, Italy, and Spain, I feel fans seem to enjoy the days before and after the match more. But in England, it’s different; fans there enjoy the match itself the most.”

Mourinho has always believed that working in different national leagues can enrich a coach’s experience; clearly, he’s very satisfied with his past coaching career, as he said: ”I like to see coaches able to work with different types of players. My career started in Portugal, from there I moved to England, then from England to Italy, and then from Italy to Spain. For me, this kind of rich experience needs to be obtained in different leagues, and if a coach always works in the same league, in the same football culture, it’s impossible for him to gain such a rich experience.”

Then, Mourinho talked about Manchester United manager Ferguson, whom he said, among all the coaches, Ferguson ”can be said to be my best friend.”

Regarding Barcelona’s coach Guardiola, Mourinho mentioned again: ”I knew Guardiola when I worked in Barcelona back then, I also understand him as a coach. As I said before, and still believe now, judging by his understanding of football and club culture, Guardiola is the ideal coach for Barcelona. As a player, he was already an iconic figure for Barcelona.”

In the end, he talked about Pellegrini.

”I look forward to facing him.”

”Many people want to know who is the better one between us.”

”I think, in a few days, everything will have an answer.”

Pellegrini couldn’t help but respond to such Mourinho.

For the first time in a pre-match press conference, he expressed his dissatisfaction, stating: ”I know what kind of person he is; in my view, he is not better than me.”

Last season, Mourinho was the Triple Crown, while Pellegrini’s Real Madrid was a Double Crown, also reaching the semi-finals in the Champions League.

Pellegrini staying in La Liga wasn’t without the intention to prove himself.

Malaga has gained ”capital” this season, and Pellegrini hopes to lead the team to become the third force.

In fact, this is also the wish of many teams in La Liga.

They all hope to become the third force in La Liga, under the duopoly of Real Madrid and Barcelona.

”I’m not good at trash-talking.”

”I just want to say, I’ll meet you at the Rose Garden.”

The Rose Garden refers to Malaga’s home ground, the Rose Garden Stadium, which once hosted World Cup matches and began renovations in 2000.

Although the Rose Garden Stadium is Malaga’s home, it is owned by the city government, Malaga council, and Andalusia management committee, and it is rumored that the new leadership intends to build a new stadium.

This shows just how wealthy Malaga is now.

Pellegrini, as always, maintains a steady approach this season. Although the start wasn’t quite smooth, Malaga is still within the championship race group and theoretically has a chance at the championship.

And the team has reinforced Malaga with quite a few strong players.

For example, former Real Madrid player Baptista.

This ”Beast” now plays the role Chen Zhong had in Real Madrid last season, and judging by Malaga’s ranking, it doesn’t look bad.

As a player trusted by the new manager, this Brazilian star who once made his mark in La Liga and was recruited by Real Madrid, also spoke up: ”Real Madrid is a great club.”

”Chen is also a very capable player.”

”But this match at the Rose Garden, we will go all out.”

...

As match day approaches, many people are focusing on this game.

This showdown between the new and old Real Madrid managers.

Even though Mourinho’s Real Madrid has been scoring efficiently in recent games, many fans still miss the Real Madrid under Pellegrini’s guidance.

”Last season Chen scored so many goals.”

”But this season, under Mourinho, Chen’s goal count has dropped.”

”Look at Messi, he is already at the top of the scorers’ list.”

This season, Messi is playing as a center forward (shadow striker) at Barcelona, and his goal efficiency is so impressive that many believe he will break the goal record set by Chen Zhong last season.

This has left many Real Madrid fans displeased.

They don’t understand if Mourinho’s tactics are more reasonable or not, the only thing they know is, under Mourinho, Chen Zhong’s goal count has decreased.

And at this moment, Casillas’ girlfriend, Sara Carbonero, talked about football on a Spanish TV5 program, including the current state of Real Madrid. During which, Carbonero criticized Cristiano Ronaldo: ”He’s always been an obvious individualist, that’s how he was when Real Madrid bought him.”

Mourinho was infuriated by Casillas’ girlfriend talking about Real Madrid’s star on TV, even though she also praised him, expressing her admiration.

At the same time, a thought popped into Mourinho’s head that even he found unbelievable.

Could it be...

The mole is...

Casillas?