José Mourinho’s transfer from then European champions Inter Milan to Real Madrid was controversial in Italy.
The Portuguese coach left the Nerazzurri just days after their victory over Bayern Munich in the Champions League final to begin a new era in the Spanish capital.
Mourinho spent three years in charge of Real Madrid, and although he was incredibly entertaining, the club did not enjoy much success on the pitch, with only three trophies won during that time (1 time La Liga, 1 time the Copa del Rey and 1 time the Spanish Super Cup).
Mourinho won the same number of titles in his final season at Inter and, in an interview with Sky Sports Italia (via Football Italia), he spoke about the circumstances surrounding his move to Real Madrid .
“I am always very honest with others and with myself. I could have gone to Real Madrid after my first season with Inter, but I signed to stay for more than a year. I had an incredible relationship, not only with the president, but also with his wife and children.
“I went to Moratti at the end of the first season and we came to the conclusion that I would stay for another year. It wasn’t the victory or defeat in the Champions League final that would have decided my life, I already knew what I was going to do and I wanted to go to Real Madrid.
“The opportunity presented itself for the second time and I wanted to go for it, it was a moment in my career where I said to myself that I had to do it. It’s the biggest club in the world, but I wanted to finish at Inter by winning the Serie A title.”
“I refused to sign the contract with Real Madrid before the final against Bayern Munich, but I was afraid to return to Milan because of the emotions.
Mourinho is now in charge of another Italian team, AS Roma, but it is not certain that he will stay there for very long, as his position has been increasingly under threat in recent weeks.
