Mourinho gives Real Madrid the control others could not, says Spanish pundit

Jose Mourinho has restored Real Madrid’s competitive edge by making difficult decisions inside the dressing room, according to Spanish media figure Nacho Pena.

Pena believes Carlo Ancelotti, Xabi Alonso and Alvaro Arbeloa were unable to exert the same level of control at different stages, for different reasons. He praised Mourinho after Real Madrid’s 3-0 victory over Valencia at Mestalla, arguing that the Portuguese coach’s experience, authority and judgement had been central to the team’s recent change.

The win in round 12 lifted Real Madrid to second in La Liga on 30 points, level with leaders Barcelona. That result increased the pressure on Barcelona before their meeting with Atletico de Madrid tonight. Atletico have 28 points.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, in comments reported by Defensa Central, Pena said Mourinho deserved most of the credit for the turnaround.

“I genuinely believe the credit should go to Jose Mourinho,” he said. “He arrived to make those shocking decisions that even Carlo Ancelotti did not make in his fourth season, perhaps out of gratitude towards players who had won everything.

“Xabi Alonso was unable to do it either, perhaps because he did not receive the support, was not given the opportunity, or lacked the flexibility and experience needed to deal with the situation.”

Pena said Arbeloa had inherited a particularly difficult environment when he took charge.

“As for Arbeloa, he arrived in extremely turbulent circumstances, after the season had already become complicated,” he added.

The pundit said none of the three coaches had managed to take full control of the team, whereas Mourinho had succeeded in doing so.

“The truth is that none of them was able to steer the ship, take control of the dressing room and manage it, while Mourinho is doing that,” Pena said. “He has achieved it through his considerable experience, maturity and correct decisions.”

Pena also argued that bold tactical choices become even more valuable when they produce results on the pitch. Success in those moments, he said, strengthens the players’ belief in their manager.

“You also earn the respect of the dressing room when you make decisions such as choosing the line-up for the Clasico, and then everything works out exactly as you planned,” he said.

“At that point, the players look at one another and begin to think: ‘My goodness, this man knows what he is doing.’”

Pena is confident Real Madrid can remain serious contenders throughout the current campaign, both in La Liga and the Champions League. He believes the team is now capable of fighting until the end, marking a change from what happened during the previous two seasons.