Mourinho’s message to Real Madrid superstar after international break controversy: ‘Outside I will defend you, here…’
· Yahoo Sports
Jose Mourinho has always been an excellent man-manager, and a personality like his is needed to manage a dressing room like Real Madrid’s.
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He has now held a direct conversation with Kylian Mbappe following the recent controversy surrounding the Los Blancos talisman.
According to journalist Pipi Estrada on El Chiringuito TV, Mourinho spoke with Mbappe during breakfast on Tuesday.
The conversation comes amid increased scrutiny around the forward following questions raised externally.
Mourinho delivers clear message to Mbappe
Estrada claims Mourinho told the forward: “Outside I will defend you, here I won’t.”
It is a short message, but one that fits perfectly with the type of dressing-room management Mourinho has always demanded.
Mourinho has always been a master at managing dressing rooms. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)
Publicly, the Madrid coach is prepared to protect his player from outside criticism. Internally, however, that protection does not mean Mbappe will be spared criticism or accountability.
While there is no confirmation of what prompted Mourinho to deliver such a message, it could not have been clearer for Mbappe.
Mbappe controversy has grown
Mbappe has been at the centre of considerable discussion in recent days.
There have been claims questioning his commitment and priorities, while Josep Pedrerol recently suggested that the Frenchman was “losing the affection of Madridismo.”
However, Los Blancos’ position is said to be different. There is said to be no unhappiness with Mbappe either at club level or inside the dressing room.
His absence from Valdebebas and his travel to Paris were also said to have been authorised, with the club in the loop.
A relationship worth watching
The more interesting question now is what Mourinho can get out of Mbappe over the coming months.
Mbappe has already reached extraordinary individual levels, but the Portuguese tactician has never been a coach interested only in numbers.
Mbappe will have to pull his socks up under Mourinho. (Photo by Mateo Villalba Sanchez/Getty Images)
He will want the Frenchman influencing matches even when he is not scoring, setting the tone without the ball and becoming a reference point for the rest of the team.
Mourinho has previously shown that he is willing to challenge superstar players rather than simply accommodate them.
Mbappe, meanwhile, is at a stage of his career where individual brilliance alone will not define his legacy at the Bernabeu. He desperately needs trophies to support those numbers.
If Mourinho’s demands push Mbappe towards another level of leadership and responsibility, this uncomfortable spell could prove beneficial in the longer run.
The real test will arrive once Madrid start playing difficult matches, and it remains to be seen how Mbappe fares in those games under Mourinho.