Jose Mourinho has attempted to turn over a new leaf with the Spanish media.
The new Real Madrid coach has started his second spell with a pair of friendly wins, and the most recent saw him take a new approach.
The press were only permitted by the club to watch the first 20 minutes of a 4-1 win over Leganes.
Mourinho tries to make amends with Spanish media
However, multiple Spanish media outlets report that Mourinho personally intervened and allowed them to stay for the full 90.
On top of that, he then took bottles of water to the journalists present when the temperature reached a scorching 36 degrees.
One of those present, Héctor González, commented: “Behind closed doors, he’ll be the same as always.
“The demands, the ambition, the constant monitoring of the players, and that iron discipline…
“But in public, he gives the impression of being a different Mourinho.”
The new approach marks a big change from Mourinho who spectacularly fell out with the Spanish media during his first Madrid stint from 2010 to 2013.
The press began pronouncing his name with a soft J, more like ‘Hose’ as it would be pronounced in Spanish, showing signs of disrespect.
Recalling how bad things were previously, Paco Gonzalez gave a scathing assessment when Mourinho return rumours started.
“I know there are a lot of ‘Mourinho fans’ lately, but Mourinho is still just a guy who’s spent the last ten years coaching lower-ranked teams,” he said on Cadena COPE.
“He doesn’t win, he’s no longer the dynamic player he was when he came from Inter Milan and won the European Cup.
“He’s a guy who’s managed by Jorge Mendes, who doesn’t talk to Real Madrid, or he talks to José Ángel, but not to Florentino Perez.”
Gonzalez continued: “Florentino Perez didn’t end things very well with Mourinho either.
“At that time, I got along very well with Florentino, and he didn’t offer him a contract extension.
“Mourinho left the dressing room divided, Casillas acting like a mole, Ramos wearing an Ozil shirt, and on top of that, he’s a thug.
“Just as I don’t like Pique, who as president is a thug, I don’t like Mourinho because he’s a thug, and I don’t like thugs.”
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