Real Madrid has probably never been on such a rollercoaster ride as it has been under Jose Mourinho in three turbulent years at the club. Still, he could have extended his stay if he had wanted to, the Portuguese said.
When he arrived in 2010 to halt the Barcelona machine under Pep Guardiola, his side finished second in his first season before managing to wrest away the Liga title for the first time in four years. Guardiola would leave that summer, but Barcelona would return to the top of La Liga in his final season, before returning to Chelsea.
Speaking to CdS, as quoted by Diario AS, Mourinho was asked if he had any regrets about his 30 years in the game.
“Many, when we talk about games. In terms of professional decisions: the 'no' to Florentino [Perez’s] offer to continue. He said to me, 'Mou, don't leave now, you've already done the hard part, now the best part begins.' I knew it was true, but I wanted to return to Chelsea after three years of great challenges in Spain.”
Carlo Ancelotti would then take over from Mourinho and lead Los Blancos to their first Champions League in more than a decade. The Portuguese manager has a lot of affection from many in the Spanish capital, but opinion is still divided among some who feel his methods fell under the club – although Perez clearly did not.
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