Real Madrid manager José Mourinho has told his players that trust between the coach and squad is non-negotiable as he works to build a new winning team at the Santiago Bernabéu.
Mourinho, who returned to Real Madrid this summer after 13 years away, outlined his expectations while discussing his managerial philosophy and the standards he wants his players to maintain.
“When I say don’t betray me, of course, I’m speaking about football. Don’t betray me, and I’ll always be there for you,” Mourinho said on the Bet It Drives Show, as reported by ESPN.
The Portuguese coach also stressed that discipline would apply equally to every member of his squad, regardless of their status within the team.
“There are rules that are not negotiable,” he said.
“If you report at 9 a.m., it’s 9 a.m. for everybody. If you arrive at 9.15, even if you’re a superstar, you just can’t. I don’t accept it … But another thing is giving them freedom to express themselves.”
Mourinho said the responsibilities of being a professional footballer extend beyond match days, arguing that players must make sacrifices if they want to perform at the highest level.
“You are a football player 24 hours a day,” he said. “Everything reflects the job. What you eat, what you drink, how you sleep, even things in your private life. You cannot ski. You cannot ride a bike.”
He added that players could suffer consequences that affect their careers if they failed to maintain the required discipline.
“If you feel it’s a hobby, you’re dead. There’s always a relationship between what you achieve and what you give up,” Mourinho said.
The manager also revealed that Real Madrid approached him to return after two difficult seasons without a major trophy, with the club seeking a fresh start.
“After two seasons where the biggest club in the world didn’t have the best results and a little ‘divorce’ with the fans, the club contacted me,” he said.
“They told me, ‘We know you. You know us. You know the club, you know the culture.
“We need you. We need you to rebuild. We need you to start again an amazing decade that the club had. We need a person with your profile.’”
Mourinho’s second spell has begun with Real Madrid six points behind La Liga leaders Barcelona. The team also suffered a 2-1 defeat to city rivals Atletico Madrid in the latest Madrid derby.
The Portuguese manager has maintained that there is still a long way to go in the season as he attempts to reshape the squad and establish his standards at the club.
