Real Madrid star Federico Valverde has this week admitted that he has been left surprised by the personable nature of new manager José Mourinho since his arrival at the club.
Mourinho was of course the man chosen by the Santiago Bernabéu brass this summer to bring in a new era in Spain’s capital.
Fresh off back-to-back seasons without silverware, Florentino Pérez and co. opted to go back to basics, leaning on the experience and acumen of a tactician with prior experience of exactly what it takes to win in Madrid.
Many saw the appointment as something of a warning message to the current crop of players at Valdebebas, who have been repeatedly accused of being ego-driven, and without the necessary on-pitch drive to return to winning ways.
As alluded to above, though, one individual who has been pleasantly surprised by the ease with which he has built a relationship with his new headmaster is Federico Valverde.
Speaking to the media this week, midfielder Valverde admitted:
“I did not expect Mourinho to be like this. He’s very close to us. Sometimes he’s hard, but I think that’s what can make you improve.”
Conor Laird – GSFN
