Mourinho: "Ambitions without limits"
Wednesday, 16 July 2008 17:08:42
APPIANO GENTILE - José Mourinho held a press conference this afternoon after spending the morning meeting his new players as the Nerazzurri reported for pre-season training.
The Portuguese spoke for over 45 minutes, answering questions about a number of topics ranging from his first impressions and the club's transfer targets to his ambitions and tactical schemes.
Here's part one:
Mourinho, can you introduce your technical staff to us?
"The vice coach is, as always, a man from the club. As you know, the choice fell on Giuseppe Baresi, an easy choice because all the information I had about him confirmed what I already thought. He is the right man to collaborate with me. I'm very happy because we're creating a very important empathy. He can be a very important man for us. And then there are my usual three collaborators of always. Rui Faria, who for many years has my fitness coach, but i don't like saying this term fitness coach because he's more than this. I prefer to say that he's my right-hand man because he's a very important person for me. Then there's Silvino, who like Rui has worked with me for many years. I have always said he's a good goalkeeper, but for me he's even better as a coach. Then there's Andre Villas who I always say is the man who works most, sometimes even fifteen hours a day, and very often without even a day's rest because he observes opponents and works on statistics with the computer, and it's not easy, but we have also found a collaborator at Inter to be with him and at the moment it seems like he's a great friend to work with him because he's a fantastic lad who wants to work with him. After there's another person, Daniele (Bernazzani) the coach of the Allievi (Nazionali) team who were Italian champions last season. He will wok with me some times and mainly in the pre-season training camp in Brunico. It's important for him to work with men, but at the same time it's also good for the work of the youth sector. This is the technical staff. but my staff is more than this - my staff is all the people who have to work for me, like the medical department, where (Claudio) Gaudino and (Gian Nicola) Bisicotti and the fitness coaches, and the whole structure of the club, and it seems like from the first day they all have great passion to work with me."
What message did you give to the players when you met the team today? From your first contact with the team have you understood why this is such a winning group?
"I think that being a winner doesn't mean winning and being tired of winning, and I never want to lose. For me a winning player, coach or a man in general is someone who is never being tired of winning. From my first meeting with the team it seems like this is a group that wants to work, and with motivations. It's very easy and very hard to work with me. It's very easy because everything is clear and organised, with no doubts, and with honesty. Everything is said face to face and it's always very direct. This is why I say it's easy to work with me. It can be difficult if you don't have the same psychological characteristics as me. I want everyone to think like me. I want them to work well, with professionalism, passion, respect and ambition with no limits. I'm a person who always sets targets with greak risks; I'm a bit aggressive in doing this and I want the group to be like me and think like me. Together we can do a good job."
Do you feel a bit of a revolutionary in terms of your working methods and relationship with the media?
"No, no, no. I'm not a revolutionary and I don't want to revolutionise anything. I'm just a person with very clear ideas. I think this is important. My philosophy of life is a bit like my philosophy of coaching: to be honest, direct and clear and ambitious - characteristics that I never want to lose. Like I said in my reply to the first question, my staff is a staff of many people. A coach isn't like a coach of twenty years ago. A coach in my opinion has to be a manager of human resources. There's big group of people who work with me, so a short period of adaptation is needed. They have to work with me and adapt but this isn't a revolution. It's just adapting the structure of the club and the people who work with me to my philosophy. There's absolutely nothing revolutionary about this."
Mourinho: "Players the essence of my work"
Wednesday, 16 July 2008 17:36:39
APPIANO GENTILE - Part two of José Mourinho's news conference on the first day of the 2008/09 season:
Besides your philosophy of work, is there a code of behaviour that the players have to respect?
"I have a code and I have spoken to the team about it, but for me the most important thing is common sense. I can't ask the players to do things that I can't do, I only ask them to do what I can do too. If, for example, I get here an hour and a half before before training I can't accept a player arriving late. With common sense and communication, we won't have any problems. There might be small internal fines for lateness or forgetfulness, but I don't think the amount of the fine is important for players who earn e few million euros. What counts is that training must start at ten if scheduled for that time. If there are 24 players on the pitch it's perfect. If there are only 14 I will just work with them because I won't accept anyone else."
And what happens if there are only 14? What will the others do?
"They will go home. And they will go when even when there's a match."
What has impressed you most in these first few days in Appiano Gentile?
"The essence of my work are the players. I really like working with the president, with Branca, with Oriali and the whole structure of the club. I'm a manager of human resources and I have to work with everybody, but the essence of my work is the players and at ten o'clock tomorrow morning I will be a much happier man than today. My job is to coach, but I like playing more than coaching. I like most the matches with different emotions rather than the 'normal matches'. But the essence of my work is to be on the pitch with my players."
Are six strikers too many?
"It's better to have too many than not have any at all. I think that many coaches in this world have the problem of not having many quality strikers. We have quite a few but if it's a problem, it's a problem for them. With all due respect, they are very special 'animals'. This will be a problem for a few of them who are not first or second choice. It's impossible to make everyone happy because only eleven go on the pitch and there are three strikers who play plus two or three on the bench. I prefer to have balance in the squad. The transfer market is open until 31 August so we have time to work and decide, but I'm happy because no one here is a washout - they are all top-quality players."
Mourinho: "Time for transfers until 31 August"
Wednesday, 16 July 2008 17:57:24
APPIANO GENTILE - Part three of José Mourinho's news conference:
Mourinho, what do you think when I say Quaresma and Lampard?
"Lampard is a Chelsea player and Quaresma is a Porto player. I don't have to talk about players of other clubs. It's easy to understand that I worked with Frank for three and a half years. He was a fantastic player with whom I have an extraordinary relationship. In an interview given in Portugal a few weeks ago I said I like Quaresma, but I have to respect the players of other clubs."
What replies did you have from your players, in terms of their expressions, attention and euphoria?
"Today I arrived here before everyone else. I didn't speak much and observed a lot. In all of them I saw a great joy at being back to work. After, we talked for about 25 minutes and I saw great attention and concentration. We talked about tactics in general, about work and about training rules and codes of behaviour. We talked with tranquillity and I have positive vibes."
A month and a half ago you said you wanted 21 outfield players plus three goalkeepers. Have you changed your mind?
"No. This isn't my problem. I will leave with 29 players, but with 5 injured players, so I have 24 players to work with - 21 on the pitch plus 3 goalkeepers, so the number is 24 and this is the number I like to work with. When the injured players are back there will be a few youngsters who will return to their teams. I told the team that I'm not a coach who tells the fitness coach to work with a group for half an hour and then makes them play a 14-a-side practice match. I want to work in an organised way with an organised group, with a maximum of 22 players on the pitch."
What is your relationship with Roman Abramovich, who is thinking of keeping Lampard to spite you?
"I need another midfielder. I told the players today because I like to be honest with them. A month ago I told Branca and the president that I would like to have a midfielder who is different from the midfielders we already have. As for Abramovich, I don't know what to say. I'm the coach of Inter and it's Moratti, Branca and Oriali, not me, who take care of transfers and relationships with other clubs. For Lampard I have no idea how it will end up. The transfer market is open until 31 August and I'd really like to have an extra player for the midfield. The club knows this and will see what to do."
There have been rumours of a possible transfer for Stankovic. What do you think of him?
"Stankovic isn't a problem. I like him as a player and what I will say now is what I told him earlier, otherwise I wouldn't allow myself to say it: for me the Stankovic at Inter has never been the Stankovic he was at Lazio. For me working with him is a challenge. If possible I will try to get him back to being like he was in his Lazio years."
Mourinho: "I'm a 4-3-3 man"
Wednesday, 16 July 2008 18
54
APPIANO GENTILE - Part four of José Mourinho's news conference:
How did it feel to know that Milan presented Ronaldino today?
"I'm very happy. When I worked for Chelsea I worked for English football in general. Now that I'm at Inter I also work for Italian football. To have a top-class championship in Europe it's important for everyone to give their contribution. If players of the calibre of Ronaldinho arrive it's easier for the Italian tournament to return to being one of the most important. So I'm happy he has come to Milan."
Excluding Inter's players, which Serie A player do you like the most?
"This is a million-dollar question. There's a player I really like and he doesn't play for Milan, Juventus or Roma."
Have you also spoken to Nicolas Burdisso?
"Yes. I have spoken to all of them. The situation is easy: at the moment we have three central defenders - Burdisso, Materazzi and Rivas. But in a few months' time we could have six because Chivu, Cordoba and Samuel will return from injury. When all six are available we will have to consider that I play two on the pitch, one goes on the bench and three end up in the stands. This isn't a problem for me. In fact, it's an advantage because I will have lots of cover if there are injuries or suspensions. But six central defenders are too many. I have been honest with them and they are intelligent and have understood the situation."
Will the transfer market end with the arrival of a midfielder, or will there be a few other arrivals?
"The transfer market closes on 31 August. You never know what can happen until that day. We have to wait."
What tactical scheme will you use? I wanted your opinion of Ibrahimovic and Adriano. Do you consider them as centre-forwards or are you thinking of using them in a different way?
"We always have a philosophy and a starting point. The 4-3-3 is the scheme I really like and when I talk about this scheme I mean three pure strikers. The position of the strikers isn't important and it can change from match to match. The challenge will be defending with three players in midfield in order to give the team the complete freedom of going on the pitch with three strikers. At that point playing Adriano and Ibrahimovic together won't be a problem."
What do you think of Amantino Mancini, the first signing under your management?
"I like him and this is why I wanted him. He's a wide player who can play well in the middle. He likes playing between the lines, he loves playing diagonally and he gets into scoring positions. He's fast, he's creative and dynamic. He has an excellent score in Serie A. He's a right-footed player who plays on the left wing and I like this because he can move into the centre."
Mourinho: "I'm no fool..."
Wednesday, 16 July 2008 18:46:48
APPIANO GENTILE - An instant hit when he was presented to the media last month, José Mourinho has the press eating out of his hands once again today in his second news conference as coach of Inter.
Here's part five:
Mourinho, in England they accused you of being a defensive coach...
"Not in Italy, right? Ah, in England... With Chelsea all the Premiership records were ours. From 2004 to 2007 we won the most matches away from home, the most consecutive matches, we scored the most goals and we set almost all the records. So I don't understand this kind of observation. We played very well with three strikers and with a diamond 4-4-2, always playing a very offensive and dynamic game in attack. We won many matches in the last 10-15 minutes and in many of those cases I used just three defenders when we needed to take more risks, and this is another system I like playing with. I like having this system as an ace up a sleeve - you can use it in the final minutes of a game when you need to win because it can bring you many important points. So whoever said that is not in love with me..."
Between Porto and Chelsea you won 99 consecutive home matches...
"In truth I haven't lost my last 99 matches played at home. I only need one more to get to a hundred. It would be a great satisfaction for me, but everything is possible in football."
Have you found a motivated Adriano?
"I can't say because the contact was more on a group level than individual. He's a player who was here and then was left out and went through a complicated time in his professional life, but now he has a great chance to return to European football and play for a great team like Inter. If he's not motivated, what does he want to do with his life? He will have to be very motivated."
A step back. Who is that player in Italian football that you like a lot? Is it perhaps Cassano or Hamsik?
"Sorry, but this question has no sense, otherwise you will name the players of every Italian team..."
What difference is there between joining a club like Chelsea that hadn't won a title for 50 years, and joining Inter that has won three consecutive Scudettos?
"It's the same thing. I don't think there's much difference. At one you want to win because you have never won, at the other you want to win because you have won and you want to win again."
In your working method do you accentuate competition between players in training?
"Competition between players is very important. Today I explained to them that most of my work is competitive. I always try to do this. I don't mind this 'war' between two players in the same position, and I like to have two options for every role so that whoever plays has to work to keep his place. The first choice always has to work to be first choice and the second choice always has to work to become first choice. This is why i like working with a smaller squad."
Since you arrived in Italy, the whole environment seems to be in love with Mourinho. Are you more flattered or worried?
"I have to thank everybody. My mental predisposition for work is the same whether they criticise or speak well of me. I can't be influenced by this. I like it and I thank them, but I'm no fool. I know full well that it won't always be like this until the end of the season."
Mourinho: "I'll tell you about my dentist..."
Wednesday, 16 July 2008 19:34:03
APPIANO GENTILE - Here's the sixth and final part of José Mourinho's new conference, held at the Centro Sportivo Angelo Moratti this afternoon on the opening day of the 2008/09 season:
Will you have back all the important players who are injured now, in order to do your prearranged work?
"I have arrived at this club and tomorrow will be my first day of work with the team. We will then go to Brunico with the intention of working well and improving the team in relation to my footballing philosophy. For me it's a pity not to have the whole team available from the start, but these problems must be a reason to be motivated and I can't cry about it. The medical staff is working very well to get back these players who are very motivated. We have to wait, but it won't be easy to start with five players unavailable from day one. It will be a chance for the youngsters in the squad who will all be with me in Brunico. We want to create a group with a great empathy and great desire to be together."
What is the real difference between your Inter and that of Roberto Mancini?
"I don't think it's very positive to compare my work and my ideas to Mancini's Inter. He is in the history of Inter, and I'm not because I still have to work and win to make history at Inter. Each coach has different ideas. I don't like Mancini's Inter and maybe he didn't like Mourinho's Chelsea, but these things are normal. I have deep respect for his work and for what he has done for Inter's history."
Do you think you need a different mentality in the championship than in the Champions League?
"It's very important for the team to have its own identity. This means not being scared of playing against anyone and not having too much respect for anyone, and not playing European matches with exactly the same philosophy that you play championship matches with. The Champions League is a special competition and you find yourself up against teams with completely different footballing philosophies and cultures. Today you might play against an English team that plays direct football, and two weeks later against a Portuguese team that plays with direct passes and great dynamism and velocity. When this happens it's important to adapt our footballing culture, which is different from making a complete change. Having this ability to adapt is intelligent. I have a big experience of Champions League games and I can help my team improve its own change in this competition."
What does it feel like to be compared to Helenio Herrera?
"I don't like it because Mr H.H. is a man with an unforgettable history in Italian football and a special man in Inter's history. At the moment I am nothing compared to him. I am the coach of this team that wants to enter Inter's history, just like I was at Porto and Chelsea. I have just arrived here and I haven't won a single game yet, so I really don't like being compared to the 'Wizard' H.H."
How is your little dog? The feeling is that she feel happer in Italy than in England...
"I won't only have her in Italy. I will also have a very big German shepherd dog..."
When Carlo Ancelotti was asked last year if he feared your arrival at Milan, he said some controversial things about you. Why?
"You'll have to ask him. And I think he forgot one important thing. In the history of Milan a super important coach was Arrigo Sacchi who never played football better than me. Personally, my dentist is fantastic and he's never had toothache."
Besides a midfielder, have you asked the club to sign any other players?
"I can't say. This is a strange transfer market and I would have preferred it to finish on 31 July. Everything would have been a lot faster. But the transfer market lasts until 31 August so we have to adapt to the situation. We will see what to do."
Have you been reassured about the condition of Zlatan Ibrahimovic?
"Everything is positive at the moment. He will work with the medical staff in the first phase, then he will work with Gaudino and Bisciotti in Brunico, and there will be a third phase there in which he will also work with the team. We think we'll have him for the first match of the championship. The friendlies aren't important for him, so we will see."
Do you think six strikers are enough to win the Champions League?
"Yes. A team needs balance. It will be important to work together on defence and attack. We have many many solutions in attack, from the experience of Figo to the youth of Balotelli, from the physical strength of Adriano to the scoring instinct of Crespo and Suazo, and the talent of Ibrahimovic and the speed of Suazo. We have every possible solution."
How do you want your relationship with the press to be?
"I don't like lies. I can't talk about Italy because i have just arrived, but I'm a 21st century man like you and I have understood your market where sometimes lies sells more than truth. This is your life and I don't like it, but we have to adapt to this style. I understand your work and I have to work with you, but the protection of my group is much, much, much more important than you."
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