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May 24, 2010

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Mourinho seeks talks ahead of switch to Real

JOSE Mourinho has just about made up his mind to join Real Madrid, but before he signs a contract he has a few things he wants to clear up with Real President Florentino Perez in talks today.

Mourinho addressed his likely move moments after guiding Inter Milan to the Champions League title on Saturday at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium - his likely future home. He said he planned talks with Perez.

"I don't know what their plans are yet. I have to know that before I can say I'm the Real Madrid coach," Mourinho said in the post-match news conference. "Right now I'm the Inter coach. If I go, it will be because Real is an enormous club that wants the same things I want - just like what Inter wanted."

Real spent more than 250 million euros (US$312 million) on high-priced superstars such as Cristiano Ronaldo and Kaka before this season, but was eliminated by Olympique Lyon in the first knockout round of the Champions League.

"Real Madrid seems like a club that wants to win big titles," Mourinho said. "But winning big titles isn't just about the jersey you wear and it's not just about money - it's about personality and working together."

Mourinho also guided FC Porto to the Champions League title in 2004, and he joins Ernst Happel (Feyenoord in 1970 and Hamburg SV in 1983) and Ottmar Hitzfeld (Borussia Dortmund in 1997 and Bayern in 2001) as the only coaches to win the competition with two different clubs.

"I want to become the only coach to win the Champions League with three different clubs," Mourinho said. "I like tough challenges in my career."

While Real holds the record with nine European Cups, it hasn't won the continent's biggest prize since 2002 - and is hungrier than ever to regain its status after rival Barcelona won the European titles last season, as well as the Spanish league in the past two seasons.

"When I arrived at Porto they hadn't won anything in a long time. When I moved to Chelsea they hadn't won the Premier League in 50 years. And Inter hadn't won in 45 years," Mourinho said. "Challenges like these are what motivates me."

Mourinho has one more season remaining with Inter, but he has openly acknowledged his dislike of the Italian game, and alluded to the multiple match bans he's been subjected to over the past two years.


 

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