Mourinho ready for new chapter

Manager-in-waiting Jose Mourinho has spoken of his determination to return Real Madrid to the glory days of yesteryear – and has hinted he wants Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard to join him in the next phase of his hugely-successful career (5/1 Lampard 8/1 Gerrard – Top England Goalscorer World Cup 2010).

The much-decorated coach has yet to sign a contract with Spain’s prestigious capital club but is convinced he has the pedigree and profile to finally mount a challenge to great rivals Barcelona and bring European success back to the Bernabeu.

Speaking about his goals in La Liga, the 47-year-old told Spanish sports daily AS: “I want to win the league, because no player or coach has won the English, Italian and Spanish leagues and I would like to be the first to do it, and also to be the first coach to lift three Champions Leagues with three different teams.

“I would also like to discover a player from the youth team and make him into a star. I have a lot of motivations. I don’t want to lose humility, so I cannot come out and say that I’m going to win the league when you are up against a super team like Barca.”

Real embarked on a 250-million euros spending spree this time last year but ended the season trophyless under Manuel Pellegrini, who was sacked on Wednesday.

Mourinho has already earmarked targets he has in mind as he looks to put his own stamp on his new-look team.

He tried to sign Gerrard from Liverpool when he was manager of Chelsea and knows all about England team-mate Lampard’s qualities from his trophy-laden tenure at Stamford Bridge (England – World Cup 2010 Specials).

Mourinho said: “I like players in the final part of their careers. I love to have some players who are 33 or 34 years old…they are players that you buy and you won’t recover this money, but if they give you good performances for two or three years you’ve got your money’s worth.

“Both (Gerrard and Lampard) are great players who always give everything.”

Real are waiting for Mourinho to resolve his contract, which runs until 2012, with Internazionale before they can unveil the two-time Champions League winner.

The La Liga giants have only won two major trophies in seven years and failed to get beyond the last 16 of the Champions League in any of the last six seasons.

Mourinho, fresh from guiding Inter to a historic treble of Serie A, Coppa Italia and Champions League titles, has also dismissed suggestions he will want to be the centre of attention, insisting the team comes before any personal gains.

He added: “I will arrive with pride for my professional work, but with much humility because Real Madrid are much bigger than all of us.”

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