Mourinho admits past Pellegrini remarks were ‘very stupid’ before Real Madrid’s Betis test

Jose Mourinho has acknowledged that he made “very stupid” comments about Manuel Pellegrini in the past, saying he paid a heavy price for his words before the pair meet again in La Liga.

Mourinho’s Real Madrid travel to face Pellegrini’s Real Betis on Friday evening in the fourth round of the league season, with the club’s UEFA Champions League campaign beginning the following Tuesday against Inter Milan.

Asked about his previous disagreements with Pellegrini, Mourinho said: “I do not blame anyone for anything, because we cannot go back to the past. But sometimes you say things and afterwards you feel like a fool, and you feel that you made a mistake.”

He added at a news conference reported by AS on Thursday: “I said some very stupid words about him in the past, and after that I paid the price very well.”

Mourinho said some of the results achieved during his time at Chelsea had influenced the Premier League title race won by Pellegrini with Manchester City. He also recalled another episode involving the two managers during a friendly between Real Betis and Roma.

“In one of the Betis-Roma friendly matches, because of refereeing decisions, we found ourselves playing with seven players,” Mourinho said. “Pellegrini said they would not try to destroy us, and they left the result as it was, which was around 3-1. They could have scored eight goals.”

He added: “He is a great manager and an example as a person, and I like him very much. There will be a hug before and after the match tomorrow, and then we will begin the game.”

Mourinho warned that Real Madrid would need to perform at their highest level to take three points from a difficult away fixture.

“We have to be a big team, otherwise we will not win,” he said. “Betis are a very good team, and Real Madrid’s recent results there show how difficult it is to win. If you want to win, you have to be at your best. There is no other option.”

The Real Madrid manager was also asked about Lionel Messi, the Inter Miami forward, after the Argentine had retired from international football.

“Talking about Messi is complicated. There is not much to say, and there are no words to describe his quality as a player,” Mourinho said.

“He reached the World Cup when he was 38 or 39, and we saw what he produced. He is one of those players you will miss. Perhaps we will have to watch some MLS matches to enjoy his final years, even though it is a competition I do not like very much.”

Mourinho continued: “There are players you always miss, and Messi is one of those players for our generation.”

Academy opportunities

Mourinho also confirmed that Real Madrid’s academy players would be given opportunities during the season as the team deals with a demanding schedule, injuries and suspensions.

“We follow all of them with great interest, even those who have not trained directly with me,” he said. “A great job has been done in recent years, and the result is that players have moved into the first team, as well as Real Madrid making a lot of money from the transfers of some of them.”

“As the season develops, with suspensions and injuries, the opportunities will always come. I know them better now, and we have daily communication with the people responsible for the academy. I cannot include everyone, but they can all dream of reaching the first team.”

Young arrival Sergio Martinez will be included in the squad for the match against Betis, along with several other academy players. Mourinho said their involvement with the senior side represented an important stage in their development.

He also reflected on Real Madrid’s pursuit of Luka Modric during his previous time at the club, describing the negotiations with the player’s former club as extremely difficult.

“We wanted him very much, but negotiating with Levy was almost impossible,” Mourinho said. “We followed the deal while we were in the United States. One day he was close to signing, the next day he was not, and then it started again.”

“Real Madrid were close to saying it was impossible, but the player wanted to come. He was the perfect player because he could play as a number six, eight or 10.”

Mourinho ended the story with a smile: “You killed me for several months, but afterwards Modric silenced everyone.”