Jose Mourinho says Real Madrid will need three seasons to reach “perfection” under his management, while confirming Federico Valverde will continue to be used in different positions according to the team’s needs.
The Portuguese manager was speaking at a news conference on Tuesday, on the eve of Real Madrid’s Champions League meeting with AEK Athens in Greece on Wednesday, 04 November 2026.
Mourinho said he was pleased with Valverde’s performances as a full-back, but stressed that the Uruguay international would also be required in midfield because of the limited options available in that area.
“I see Valverde as a hugely important player for the team. Being Real Madrid captain makes him look at things from a different perspective,” Mourinho said, in comments reported by Spanish newspaper AS.
“When you are captain, you have to be different. It is a responsibility, and I believe that will make him ready to play in any position his team and team-mates need. That is what a captain means to me, so I am convinced that playing in any position will not be a problem for Fede.”
Mourinho added that Real Madrid’s squad had been assembled with Valverde in midfield, leaving him with few alternatives in the position.
“The team was built with Valverde in midfield, which means we do not have a large number of players there,” he said. “We have Tchouameni, Camavinga, Bernardo and Tiago Pitarch, and that is almost everything. So I am sure Valverde will also return to midfield.”
He added: “Am I happy with him playing as a full-back? Yes. Does the team perform better on that side with him? Yes. We all like having him at full-back, but he will also need to play in midfield.”
Mourinho also discussed his attacking options ahead of the match, including whether Vinicius Junior, Kylian Mbappe and Yan Diomande could start together.
He pointed to Ibrahim Diaz and Endrick as further players capable of operating in more than one position. Diomande can play on either wing, while Ibrahim can also feature in both wide roles. Endrick is able to play on the right or left, although Mourinho said Vinicius was the player most accustomed to operating on the left wing.
The manager declined to assess whether Arda Guler had reached the highest level of players, saying he would not be available against AEK Athens.
“He is out of tomorrow’s match,” Mourinho joked. “Ask me on Friday,” referring to the day before Real Madrid’s La Liga match against Valencia.
Mourinho warned that AEK Athens would present a difficult test, citing the conditions in Greece and the extra motivation opponents gain when facing Real Madrid.
“They are champions, and we have faced many champions in these eight matches,” he said. “Greece is always difficult, and Real Madrid, the kings of Europe, have won only once in eight visits to Greece.”
Asked how long he needed to complete his work at Real Madrid, Mourinho replied: “Three years… three seasons.”
He signed a three-year contract at the start of the season, keeping him in charge until June 2029.
