Jose Mourinho plays down Yan Diomande’s ‘die for him’ remark ahead of Real Madrid return

Jose Mourinho has described Yan Diomande’s claim that he is “ready to die” for the Real Madrid manager as a figure of speech, while saying the comment reflects the spirit he has seen across his rebuilt squad.

Mourinho was asked about the remark during his news conference before Real Madrid’s first competitive match of the new season on Saturday. The Portuguese manager has returned to the Spanish capital after 13 years away, with his second spell at the club now set to begin in La Liga.

Diomande, one of the club’s summer arrivals, spoke warmly about his relationship with Mourinho in an interview.

“I am ready to die for him,” he said.

Mourinho said the statement should not be interpreted literally, but welcomed the commitment behind it.

“It’s a figure of speech,” he said.

“We are not going to take it literally. I appreciate this approach, in fact. I would give my life for my team and Real Madrid. When he says my name, I think he is referring to the team and the club.

“It is easy to say, but I see that state of mind reflected in every member of the group.”

Mourinho added that the squad was developing a strong collective identity, although he accepted that difficulties would inevitably arise.

“I see a group of people who want to do things properly, with total dedication. This group is growing and becoming more united. We are not perfect, because perfection does not exist. I have no illusions: there will obviously be problems.

“But what Diomande was saying applies to everyone.”

Real Madrid have made a significant number of additions during the summer, with Denzel Dumfries, Bernardo Silva, Ibrahima Konate, Carlos Espi, Marc Cucurella and Yan Diomande all joining the club at Santiago Bernabeu.

Mourinho said he was satisfied with the options available to him despite the club missing out on Rodri. The Spain World Cup winner was reportedly taken by Real Madrid’s historic rivals FC Barcelona at the last moment.

The manager insisted Rodri’s absence did not leave his side short of quality.

“We do not need anything. And if we do not need anything, why would we want to sign Rodri? Of course, he would have been the icing on the cake – he is a fantastic player.

“But with players such as Tchouameni, Valverde, Arda Guler and Camavinga… it is not as if we are lacking anything.”

Attention now turns to the opening match of the campaign, with Real Madrid travelling to face Espanyol at 19:30 GMT on Saturday. The fixture will mark Mourinho’s return to La Liga and begin a new chapter after his original spell in Madrid ended 13 years ago.

Mourinho was also asked what advice his younger self might have offered him before the latest challenge.

“Good question. Philosophical. Delicate,” he said.

“You see, it is the Mourinho of today who is in a position to advise the Mourinho of yesterday. Not the other way around. It is like your father giving you advice, or the other way around.

“What I mean is that you must always keep your calm. And for me, it is much easier now. We always get two or three red cards. I am not talking about that kind of calm.

“But in life… you have to know how to keep your calm. And I am better at doing that these days.”