Borja Mayoral has opened up about his time under José Mourinho at Real Madrid, offering a candid assessment of the Portuguese coach that balances praise with pointed criticism. The Getafe striker spoke to Spanish newspaper Marca, reflecting on his formative years training alongside world-class talent and learning from one of football's most demanding tacticians.
Mayoral acknowledged the significant benefits of working under Mourinho, particularly during training sessions. "What I liked most about Mourinho were his training sessions, they were competitive and highly enjoyable," the striker explained. Despite facing limited playing time in the first team, Mayoral found value in the competitive environment the coach created. He also highlighted moments of personal recognition from Mourinho, noting that the manager occasionally displayed genuine appreciation for his work and even predicted he deserved earlier opportunities in the squad.
The Appreciation Factor
Beyond the pitch preparation, Mayoral spoke warmly about Mourinho's interpersonal side. The coach frequently engaged Spanish players in conversation, sharing insights from his previous stint at the Bernabéu and offering tactical guidance. "He was very friendly and used to talk a lot with the Spaniards like Gonzalo Villar and Carles Pérez about his time at Real Madrid," Mayoral recalled. These personal interactions left a positive impression on the young academy graduate, who was eager to absorb knowledge from a manager with European pedigree.
However, Mayoral's assessment took a critical turn when discussing Mourinho's handling of defeats and dressing room conduct. The striker revealed that the manager struggled to accept setbacks, occasionally making remarks inside the dressing room that neither he nor his teammates appreciated. "What annoys me most about Mourinho is his failure to accept defeat," Mayoral stated. He emphasized that these comments were not directed solely at him but affected the entire squad's morale.
While acknowledging Mourinho's fierce competitive nature, Mayoral called for more restraint and professionalism. "I understand that he is a very competitive person and that we may all say things in a moment of anger, but respect must always come first," he concluded. His remarks reflect a generational perspective within modern football, where players expect technical excellence from their coaches alongside emotional intelligence and respectful communication, even during challenging moments.
