Solari not worried for Real Madrid job after Mourinho sacking

Jose Mourinho's sacking by Manchester United will likely spawn more Real Madrid return rumours, but Santiago Solari says he is not worried.

Published : Dec 19, 2018 00:55 IST

Real Madrid coach Santiago Solari is not concerned about rumours linking Jose Mourinho to Real Madrid.
Real Madrid coach Santiago Solari is not concerned about rumours linking Jose Mourinho to Real Madrid.
lightbox-info

Real Madrid coach Santiago Solari is not concerned about rumours linking Jose Mourinho to Real Madrid.

Jose Mourinho was linked with a return to Santiago Bernabeu and after his departue from Manchester United, Santiago Solari insists he is not suddenly worrying about his future as Real Madrid head coach.

United ended Mourinho's tenure on Tuesday following a dire start to the season, which has left it trailing Premier League leader Liverpool by 19 points. Mourinho's final game in charge was Sunday's 3-1 defeat by United's bitter rival, but his position had long since been the subject of speculation, the coach's relationship with various players coming under scrutiny.

The Portuguese coach has been linked with a potential return to Madrid – which he coached for three years until 2013 – at the end of the season, despite Solari only taking over permanently last month. But Solari has no worries about the rumours, brushing them off as something Madrid coaches have to put up with.

READ | Mourinho sacked: Jose the best Manchester United manager since Ferguson - Gerrard

Speaking to reporters ahead of Wednesday's Club World Cup game with Kashima Antlers, Solari said: "I have the utmost respect and admiration for all my colleagues, professionals and amateurs, who also do an exceptional job, and with more reason to those who have been a part of this club and have given us joys and have given the maximum so that this club does well.

"And how could I worry that there is speculation about Madrid? That happens every day."

Mourinho's dismissal has seen debates comparing his time at United with Pep Guardiola's Manchester City tenure, with some suggesting the success of the latter has made United look even worse. Solari was not eager to side himself with the philosophies of either coach, however.

ALSO READ | Mourinho sacked: Five reasons it went wrong at Manchester United

"I identify with the values ​​represented by Madrid," he said. "It has to be a dominating team, always seeking victory, has to attack, get goals, must not surrender under any circumstances.

"To achieve that, we must work on many aspects at a tactical and methodological level and also at the physical level. But, to sum up, I feel identified by the football values ​​that represent Madrid."

Sign in to unlock all user benefits
  • Get notified on top games and events
  • Save stories to read later
  • Access to comment on every story
  • Sign up / manage to our newsletters with a single click
  • Get notified by email for early bird access to discounts & offers to our products
Sign in

Comments

Comments have to be in English, and in full sentences. They cannot be abusive or personal. Please abide to our community guidelines for posting your comment