Luka Modric has backed Jose Mourinho following the manager's return to Real Madrid, calling the Portuguese coach the best option to lead the Spanish club.
Speaking in an interview with Spanish sports newspaper As, the Croatian midfielder, who is currently finishing his playing career at Italian side AC Milan, praised Mourinho's winning record, strong personality, and familiar connection with the club.
Modric stated that appointing Mourinho was a very wise decision by the Real Madrid board, noting that the manager understands the organization inside out and remains the ideal fit for the current squad.
Mourinho's insistence on Modric's transfer
Modric revealed details surrounding his original transfer to Real Madrid in 2012, recalling that internal doubts existed within the club when Mourinho first requested his signature from English Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur.
According to Modric, his arrival did not carry unanimous support inside the hierarchy, but Mourinho refused to back down from his target. The midfielder recalled that Mourinho gave club officials a clear ultimatum, stating that he wanted Modric and nobody else.
That determination secured Modric's transfer to the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Chamartin. Over the subsequent decade, Modric developed into one of the most decorated midfielders in football history, helping Real Madrid win multiple UEFA Champions League titles and domestic honors while earning the Ballon d'Or award in 2018.
Return to the Real Madrid bench
Mourinho's appointment marks a return to the Spanish capital four decades after he previously served as an assistant coach within Real Madrid's youth system. The Portuguese tactician later served as first-team manager between 2010 and 2013, winning La Liga and the Copa del Rey.
Modric was one of the first figures to publicly address the manager's return, expressing deep gratitude for the role Mourinho played in launching his career in Spain. Modric emphasized that Mourinho was the person who brought him to Madrid, calling that intervention the most important factor in his football journey.
Tactical preparation and squad impact
Reflecting on his time working under Mourinho, Modric explained that the Portuguese manager left a lasting mark on his career that went far beyond winning silverware. He stated that during that season together, he learned how to refine his work ethic, fight harder, and give total effort on the pitch.
Modric described Mourinho's match preparation as extraordinary, explaining that players entered the pitch knowing precisely what would happen during the game. He added that Mourinho possessed a rare ability to anticipate match dynamics and resolve tactical problems mentally before kickoff.
The midfielder stressed that his praise was neither nostalgia nor diplomatic courtesy, but rather the honest recognition of one of the most thorough working methods he had experienced throughout his career.
Expectations for the season
Looking ahead, Modric expressed strong confidence in Real Madrid's prospects under Mourinho, predicting that the manager's return will bring great joy to the club's supporters and make the squad highly competitive across all tournaments.
Modric noted that the renewed partnership between the manager and the team carries a clear logic, adding that the alliance between Real Madrid and Mourinho will strike fear into rival clubs.
He added that Mourinho was in the right place because he is managing the best club in the world, while Mourinho himself remains one of the greatest managers in football history.
Personal loyalty and ongoing contact
Modric highlighted a personal debt of gratitude toward Mourinho, stating that he would do whatever was necessary for his former manager because of the effort Mourinho made to sign him when internal opposition was evident.
The Croatian international explained that while the two do not communicate on a daily basis, they remain in contact by exchanging text messages from time to time. Modric added that he continues to wish Mourinho the best in his new chapter at Real Madrid.
