Courtois: Mourinho Speaks His Mind, and I Like That

Thibaut Courtois is embarking on his ninth season with Real Madrid. The Belgian international joined pre-season training last Friday, initially working individually. Following the injury he sustained at the World Cup in the Round of 16 clash against Spain, the goalkeeper expedited his return. To ensure his left leg was fully recovered, he began with three days of individual training as a precautionary measure. “Mourinho is a great coach; we were together at Chelsea, and I’m happy to be under his guidance again,” he told Real Madrid’s club television after his initial sessions.

On his early return, the shot-stopper commented: “I came back a bit earlier because, due to the injury, I wanted to make sure everything was fine by doing individual training before joining the team. Today, I had a goalkeeping session and felt very good. I’m happy to be back in training.”

Regarding his renewed collaboration with Mourinho, Courtois shared: “Mourinho is a demanding coach – he prioritizes discipline and the team over individuals. For me, these are crucial elements for winning. He’s a fantastic coach, and as a person, he’s very approachable. He speaks his mind directly, and I appreciate that. I believe this is the direction we need to take. We were together at Chelsea, and we won the Premier League. I have fond memories of him, and I’m delighted to be under his leadership once more. We hope to work well together and have successful years here.”

The Belgian also discussed his expectations for the new season: “We are filled with immense desire. Personally, I want to win titles. It’s important for the team, the fans, and the club to start winning again. After the World Cup and my injury, I wanted to feel good quickly, and that happened, so I can be ready for tomorrow’s training. There are quite a few new players, some of whom we know from playing against them, but the World Cup this year finished very late, and it’s not easy for the coach that everyone is joining gradually.”

“He gave everyone a good rest, and that’s important for us to clear our heads because the season is very long, and if you start too quickly, injuries come sooner. We will quickly get into rhythm because we haven’t stopped for long, and we will be fine. Everyone is eager to be together again and fight in the new season,” he added.

Regarding pre-season preparations, Courtois stated: “We need to get into shape and continue our training. The team is looking good. We secured a nice win yesterday. Everyone is finding their rhythm, and the young players are proving themselves, which is also positive. Ultimately, the goal is to prepare thoroughly because the start of La Liga is fast approaching, and it will be tough, with challenging matches. A strong start is crucial. Hopefully, we can begin well, finish August with nine points from nine, and keep pushing forward.”