Raphael Varane has praised Chelsea FC manager Jose Mourinho for inspiring him during his time at Real Madrid
Star defender Raphael Varane spoke about the Blues boss in an interview with French publication Le Journal du Dimanche and was full of praise for Jose Mourinho, whom he credits with getting him back on track.
"During my second year at Madrid, Jose Mourinho gave me a kick up the backside.I wasn’t doing well, I wasn’t managing to do what he wanted me to out on the pitch.So he chided me, saying: ‘Why don’t you run in training?’ My first reaction was to mutter, ‘Oh come on…’ But I knew he was right, I had more to give."
The youngster was handed his senior Real Madrid debut by Mourinho in 2011 at the age of 18, and was integrated into the team throughout the 2011/12 campaign. However, Varane failed to properly take advantage of his opportunity and did not perform at the required level in the following season.
While some managers may have left the defender alone, Mourinho confronted Varane in a bid to reinvigorate him. One of the key qualities of a successful team leader is the ability to get the best out of your staff and evidently the Chelsea boss understands this. Players, especially youngsters with multi-million pound contracts, are liable to take their foot off the gas at times and man management is crucial in ensuring that they fulfill their potential.
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It is also good to see that Varane recognises this and appreciates Mourinho’s intervention. As he says, at the time he could have easily taken his comments like a petulant child but on reflection he was able to see that Jose was simply trying to help him.
While Mourinho has moved on from Madrid, Varane has continued to improve as is indicated by the 46 competitive appearances that he made for the club last season. He is now widely regarded as one of the best defensive talents in the continent and a reunion with his former boss at Stamford Bridge was rumoured at times over the summer. The move never materialised but such affection for Mourinho may just encourage Chelsea to consider an offer for the player more seriously.
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This is a welcome bit of praise for Mourinho given the little positivity that has been directed his way since the season began. Chelsea have got off to a terrible start and while the players have been poor, the manager’s tactics have also been called into question. Furthermore, he has been criticised for his treatment of club doctor Eva Carneiro with even accusations of sexism now doing the rounds.
Having said that, Varane’s comments remind us that he is Jose Mourinho and there is arguably no-one who is more capable of sorting out this misfiring Chelsea squad than him.
All quotes taken from The Independent.
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