Real Madrid president Florentino Perez has reiterated his faith in Jose
Mourinho, labelling the Portuguese ”the best coach in the world”.
The capital club finished second in the Primera Division behind Barcelona and
were also knocked out of the Champions League by their arch rivals at the
semi-final stage in Mourinho’s first season at the Bernabeu helm since his
arrival from Inter Milan last summer.
However, Madrid did enjoy Copa del Rey final success over Pep Guardiola’s side
and Perez believes Los Blancos are on the right track to pick up more
silverware.
Addressing fans at the club’s Valdebebas training ground, he said: ”We have a
spectacular, young team, and the best coach in the world. This year we have laid the groundwork to be able to meet the future challenges of Real Madrid. We won the cup and we are convinced that this cup is just the beginning of a great time.”
Meanwhile, former Real Madrid midfielder Luis Figo claims he has had no contact about a return to the Bernabeu as part of the technical staff.
The departure of Jorge Valdano as director general last month has prompted much
speculation about who will replace the Argentinian, with Figo’s name reportedly
among the candidates. However, the former Portugal captain has played down such talk.
Figo, currently an ambassador for another of his former clubs, Inter Milan,
said: ”They are just rumours and such statements are baseless because, until
now, nobody has offered me a return to the club.
”[Madrid special advisor Zinedine] Zidane has not invited me back, so I cannot
accept anything. It’s news coming out that has no foundation. At this moment I am happy at
Inter Milan.”
Figo would be open to a the possibility of linking up with his Madrid coach
Jose Mourinho – his former coach at Inter – in the future, though.
”In the future you never know what can happen,” he added. ”On a personal level I had a fantastic year with Jose, which I enjoyed and we won major titles. It is therefore logical that, if in the future it were to happen, I would be very happy.”
