Mourinho dismisses squad clear-out talk at Real Madrid after last season’s problems: ‘I want these players, I want the best’ | OneFootball

Having been appointed as the new manager Jose Mourinho has moved to calm speculation about a major squad overhaul at Real Madrid, insisting he wants to work with the club’s current stars rather than replace them.

Speaking on Adebayo Akinfenwa’s Beast Mode On podcast (h/t MARCA), the Portuguese coach addressed reports surrounding his plans ahead of beginning work at Valdebebas on July 13.

No clearout planned

Mourinho rejected suggestions that he intends to overhaul the dressing room after taking charge.

“I’ve read some things saying that Jose is coming here and he’s going to cut some of the best players who supposedly had problems during the season. No, no, I want these players, I want these players, I want the best,” he stated.

Instead of making sweeping changes, Mourinho believes his task is to build a stronger collective especially after the problems that popped up in the Real Madrid locker room last season.

“Now I have to find a way to have a team and not have the problems that, I don’t know, from what I’ve read, they had in previous seasons,” the Portuguese said.

Looking forward to get started at Real Madrid. (Photo by Carlos Rodrigues/Getty Images)

Having great players Is a good problem

For Mourinho, managing elite talent is a challenge every coach should welcome.

“The best problem a coach can have is having the best players,” he explained.

He argued that dealing with limited-quality squads presents a far greater challenge than balancing a dressing room full of top-level footballers with egos.

“If you have problems with players who aren’t very good, that’s a big problem,” Mourinho added.

Hoping Real Madrid’s internationals return soon

One of Mourinho’s most eye-catching comments concerned the ongoing World Cup.

Asked what he hoped to see from the tournament, he offered a response that quickly attracted attention.

“You want the truth? I want the Real Madrid players to lose and go on vacation. Because I want the lads back for pre-season,” he joked.

Mourinho wants Real Madrid stars back from the World Cup soon. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Building physical fitness and tactical cohesion from the very beginning is one of his main priorities.

When asked to name the best dressing room of his managerial career, Mourinho answered immediately.

“Real Madrid.”

Thoughts on the World Cup

Mourinho admitted he has struggled to become fully engaged with the early stages of the tournament, arguing that several one-sided scorelines have surprised him.

“After ten minutes I switch off,” he joked. “A 7-1 or a 5-1 shouldn’t happen at a World Cup.”

He expects the competition to become far more compelling once the knockout rounds begin.

Among the strongest contenders, Mourinho highlighted England, France, Spain, Argentina, Brazil and Portugal, praising the depth of talent across all six nations while maintaining his long-standing belief that England always has the quality to challenge for the title.