MOURINHO ACCEPTS BIG CHALLENGE

Jose Mourinho
Jose Mourinho has warned his new Real Madrid squad that they will only achieve success if they are willing to put the club before any individual recognition.

The Portuguese was unveiled as the new Real Madrid manager in a low-key press conference on Monday after signing a four-year contract at the Bernabeu, and the 47 year-old said he was relishing what is 'a big challenge.'

'I don't know if I was born to coach Real Madrid but I was born to be a football coach,' Mourinho said. 'I love important challenges. I am Jose Mourinho and I don't change. I arrive with all my qualities and my defects.

'My attraction to Real Madrid is due to its history, its frustrations in recent years and its expectations to win. It's a unique club and I believe that not to coach Real leaves a void in a coach's career.

'Luckily, I've had a beautiful career and it makes me proud to have come here. I am very enthusiastic. I want my players to think that way. The beauty is not so much to train or play at Real, but to win at Real Madrid.'

While his introduction the Spanish media was muted in comparison to his entrance to English football, Mourinho spelt out a warning to his new squad that each player had to learn to put the club first.

'It's too early to speak about changes. I believe it's time to analyse the situation, to get to know my club, ask lots of questions and get answers,' he said.

'The most important thing is not the coach or the players but the club. We are too small compared to the dimension of the club. If we work as a group, it's not difficult to get results.

'I want this group to have an identity, to win everything. The strength of my team is always the team and not the individuals.

'Cristiano Ronaldo is an incredible player not only for Real but for the whole of football. Cristiano is a winner and it's not difficult to persuade him of this.'

Madrid parted company with Manuel Pellegrini last week after a disappointing campaign in which the team lost out to Barcelona in the title race and were knocked of the Champions League by Lyon in the first knockout stage.

'I think a coach needs to be ready to be sacked,' Mourinho said. 'But if a coach fears that, he doesn't work well and has great problems.'