Jose Mourinho calls Alvaro Arbeloa “one of my children” ahead of their Champions League clash, dismissing any suggestion of criticism towards the Real Madrid coach.
BENFICA coach Jose Mourinho has described Real Madrid counterpart Alvaro Arbeloa as being like a child to him, ahead of their Champions League meeting.
Mourinho coached Arbeloa during his tenure at Real Madrid between 2010 and 2013. He moved to clarify comments from last week that were perceived as a dig at inexperienced managers like Arbeloa taking top jobs.
“There is one problem — both Chivu and Arbeloa are my children, they are not just ex-players of mine, but they are special,” Mourinho told a news conference.
He said Arbeloa was “one of my favourites of them all” from a personal and human point of view. Mourinho explained his surprise at being offered the Benfica job early in his own career meant his words could not be an insult.
“The last thing I would do would be to put pressure on him,” said the 63-year-old. “I want everything to go well for him, and for him to have a fantastic career as a coach.”
Mourinho said he had not spoken to Arbeloa since his appointment but that no call was necessary. He said Arbeloa knows he wishes him good luck.
“My telephone number is very complicated,” Mourinho explained. “With Alvaro it’s not necessary to have a call to say ‘good luck’, he knows it.”
The Portuguese manager admitted he could not yet analyse Arbeloa’s coaching quality. He said he had not watched Madrid’s reserve or youth teams play.
“I cannot analyse him as a coach because I do not know him,” said Mourinho. “I have no advice to give him. The only thing that is important for me is that he is happy.”
Real Madrid can secure a last-16 spot with a victory at the Estadio da Luz. Benfica must win and rely on other results to reach the play-off round.
Arbeloa said he was proud and emotional after hearing Mourinho’s comments. He admitted to listening to the news conference.
“Jose has been more than a coach for me, on all levels,” said the Madrid coach. “I thank him for his words, I’m looking forward to seeing him tomorrow and giving him a big hug.”
Madrid defender Alvaro Carreras, facing his former club, said the team faces intense scrutiny despite a three-game winning streak. He said pressure is part of the club’s identity.
“We might be arriving in a good moment, but if tomorrow something bad happens it would be the ‘worst period’ of Madrid,” said Carreras. “Without this pressure it would not be the club that all the fans love.”
