Jose Mourinho Talks Lionel Messi, Real Madrid, Barcelona and La Liga
Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho believes European football will change dramatically when Barcelona forward Lionel Messi hangs up his boots.
The Blues boss suggests the absence of Messi, whom he considers Barca's constant, will leave a lasting mark on the continental game. Mourinho spoke to talkSPORT (h/t Ben Snowball of Eurosport): "In 10 years' time, without Lionel Messi, the map of European football is going to change. What Barcelona have won in the last few years was with Frank Rijkaard, Pep Guardiola and Luis Enrique as coach, but it's always with Messi."
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Mourinho also suggests winning trophies in Spain is simple if you're in charge of Real Madrid or Barcelona. He admits to not enjoying his time as Los Blancos boss, where he believes the lack of competitiveness meant the title-winning side is always defined by a handful of key games, per talkSPORT (h/t Kieran Gill of the MailOnline):
"I was in Spain, but I didn't enjoy. I didn't enjoy it because I won a title with a record in Spain with 100 points and 121 goals, but we played only three or four matches all season. I lost a title with 92 points, but again we played only four or five matches in the season.
You feel the pressure that you have to win every match because if you don't you are not champions. You have to win and win and win. But it is a big, big gap between the giants and the others.
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Mourinho is undecided as to whether Barca and Madrid would triumph in England, saying: "Maybe yes. Maybe not." However, he suggests both teams can rest players without severe consequences, per the interview with talkSPORT:
"In matches in other countries you can win matches when you are resting. In Spain and in Italy, I won lots of matches resting. Where you can think, "what next?' Where you can think which European game is coming, where you can rest players.
This season I rested a few players against Bradford (in the FA Cup) and I lost against Bradford. And that is English football. You are winning 2-0 and if you concede a goal you know you are going to have hell for the last few minutes and you might draw 2-2 and lose two points.
"
The Portuguese boss was reminded of the Premier League's difficulties on Monday night, when his title-winning team were whooped 3-0 by Tony Pulis' West Bromwich Albion. Mourinho made changes to his lineup, opting to play two strikers, plus fringe player Filipe Luis and youngster Ruben Loftus-Cheek, but he watched Chelsea surrender only their third defeat of the season.
English sides have failed to make an impact on the Champions League over the past couple of years, with Spanish sides dominating. Last year's final was contested by Real and Atletico Madrid, while Barca are in this season's showpiece. Sevilla are also on course to retain their Europa League title.
La Liga's giants are better equipped than England's, but there's no denying a low-level Premier League team are more likely to beat one of their division's best. This season, we saw 14th-place Leicester City slaughter Manchester United 5-3, something you wouldn't see Getafe achieve against one of Spain's elite.
Mourinho is a manager who thrives on competition, someone who loves to engage in weekly mind games. Perhaps this is why he plays down the lack of competitiveness away from England.
He needs to be pushed every single week to show his tactical nuance and excellence as a boss. Both of his spells with Chelsea have brought out the best of his winning qualities. Madrid fans are likely split about his time at the Bernabeu, but one thing's for certain: Mourinho is in no doubt which league suits his style the best.
