Mourinho talks Real Madrid return, Man City sanctions, referees, Vinicius-Prestianni controversy: ‘I was a victim of public opinion’

Mourinho talks Real Madrid return, Man City sanctions, referees, Vinicius-Prestianni controversy: ‘I was a victim of public opinion’ Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho has given an extensive interview to Corriere dello Sport (h/t AS ), reflecting on his career and the clubs he has managed. The Portuguese tactician also discussed the controversial incident involving Vinicius Jr. and Gianluca Prestianni in last season’s UEFA Champions League, as well as his return to the Santiago Bernabeu this summer. Returning to Real Madrid Mourinho explained that the rumours about his return to Real Madrid began before there had even been contact between the two parties. “Normally, first there is contact and then the noise starts when there is already something. Here, it was exactly the opposite: the noise started when there was no contact,” he said. Mourinho admitted that he was happy at Benfica, and that he had dismissed the early noise as only rumours before things started to happen. “I was at Benfica, happy. It is a special club for me, ten minutes from home, something that had not happened for twenty years. It was a club that needed a radical change. I thought I would stay there with my three-year contract. Then the commotion started.” Continuing, he added: “It surprised me. I did not give it any importance. I thought: it is just a rumour. Real Madrid had changed coach halfway through the season and then Arbeloa arrived. The results were unknown, and the commotion started. “But nobody had told me anything. When the rumours started, I thought: ‘This cannot be true.’ I was at Benfica, with my mind on Benfica, with my mind on Benfica’s future. I never thought it was true.” The Prestianni-Vinicius incident Mourinho also revisited the difficult episode of alleged racism involving Prestianni and Vinicius, while he was in charge at Benfica last season, which resulted in the former being suspended despite denying the accusation. Prestianni was sanctioned for alleged racism against Vinicius. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images) “It was a very delicate and difficult point for us, because in the end Prestianni was disqualified not for racism. I was a victim of public opinion, mainly of many opportunists, because of a completely uncontrollable situation,” Mourinho explained. “You have a player who says: ‘It is not true.’ Nobody has proof that it is true. You cannot take a position. Whatever you say, public opinion would still be wrong.” Continuing, he added: “What I really like about the end of this story is that, on one side, there was a fantastic boy and, on the other, a perfect boy. It was a problem, but in the end I got to know both of them. “It was tough, from a management point of view it was very tough: after playing the preliminary round, arriving in Madrid without knowing whether there would be a sanction, whether he could play or not. An extremely difficult situation.” The Manchester City sanction Mourinho also spoke about Manchester City’s legal situation and suggested that the process could continue for some time. It must be noted that if the Cityzens’ are sanctioned, Mourinho could stand to add another Premier League title to his cabinet after having finished second with Manchester United in 2017/18. “I prefer to laugh a little, because I think there will be an ending. There will be an ending. But the two of us, who are around 60 years old, should be lucky enough to still be here when the final verdict is delivered,” he said. “Because now the ruling will arrive and, after a year, there will be an appeal.” Asked about his future, Mourinho was unequivocal: “As long as I have my health, I will continue coaching.” Relationship with referees Mourinho rejected the idea that he is the source of his frequent disputes with referees, instead pointing to the circumstances surrounding some of the clubs he has managed. “I do not think the problem is me. The problem is the bad luck I have when I arrive at a particular club. I experienced the important Negreira period here at Real Madrid. Nobody knew, but we experienced it. It happened. It happened,” he said. “I left afterwards, now everyone knows about it. But I was thinking about something: in Turkey, after a major Turkish scandal, this kind of situation happened to me often.” His admiration for Ancelotti Mourinho has great respect for Ancelotti. (Picture courtesy: Real Madrid official website) Mourinho had warm words for Carlo Ancelotti, recalling how the Italian coach wanted to speak with Real Madrid’s players and follow their development. “Carlo is great. Carlo wanted to speak to his players, right? He wanted to speak to Vinicius, he wanted to know how Rodrygo was, how his development was going, how Militao’s development was going,” he noted. “Endrick was also injured at the time and he asked me for permission to come here.” Continuing, he joked: “But you are sick, Carlo! But this is also Carlo. Carlo, I am sick of you, because every day I walk down the corridor: pictures of Carlo here, pictures of Carlo there. I am already sick of you!” Mourinho is preparing to return to Rome next Wednesday, to face his former employers AS Roma in the Champions League. Sharing his feelings about the occasions, he said: “I have to prepare myself because it is the first time I am going there without the support of the Giallorossi fans. I do not expect chants or banners, only a lot of respect.”