Mourinho’s not Harry Potter but he can still work his magic at the Bernabeu!

New Real Madrid boss Jose Mourinho seems to think his magic is wearing off.

He told AS: “Look, I’m a coach, I’m not Harry Potter. He is magical, but in reality there is no magic. Magic is fiction and football is real”.

Special

Mourinho may be special but it’s true he can’t produce magic and it’s going to take time to get his side to play the way he wants them to play.

Real Madrid fans are famous for wanting attacking exciting football, whereas the former-Chelsea boss is more pragmatic.

Some of his signing’s so far suggest that he is willing to adapt his style a little and go for a bit more of an attacking style. He signed Argentinian Angel Di Maria and Germany’s Mesut Ozil, who are both very attack-minded players.

I am a big fan of both players and I am just sorry that Ozil especially didn’t end up at Barca, rather than their Madrid rivals. The two players could be key in Madrid’s title challenge this season. The only thing that may stop them producing their top form is the time it takes for them to adapt to La Liga.

Mourinho has already questioned whether Di Maria will be a success in the Spanish game, which is a strange thing to say about a new signing. Maybe it’s a piece of psychology from the master of mind games. However I don’t doubt that both players will be a success in La Liga.

Mind Games

Jose Mourinho is a winner and part of that winning mentality is that he tends to play and win a mind games. Unfortunately his main rival at Barcelona Pep Guardiola is such a cool customer and he may have problems winning the mental battle against the Barca boss.

Class

I have always liked Jose Mourinho ever since he breezed into Stamford Bridge. He brings such character and flair to wherever he is. He may be controversial but football is entertainment and he produces it in bucketfuls. He is a dream for the media as he has something to say on every topic.

Tactics

Mourinho is known for his tactical nous and that is where Real will be successful under the Portuguese boss. Mourinho’s old team Inter are not the best team in Europe but thanks to Mourinho’s tactical nous he turned them into European Champions.

The Real Madrid squad is better than last season’s Inter squad and with some tactical guidance could overhaul Barcelona. Mourinho, just like some of his new players will need time to adjust to being at Real.

Rivals

Rivals Barcelona started the season like they finished last season, in good form. They have also brought in prolific Spanish striker David Villa and Argentinian defensive midfield Javier Mascherano. Villa is a far better fit for the team than the departed Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

The Swede may have offered a different option but Villa is a far better all-round player. Barcelona with Villa in team will be an even harder team to beat this season and I don’t think even Mourinho can stop them this season.

Successful

Mourinho will be successful at the Bernabeu.  He is a winner and he is the only manager that could even threaten Barca’s dominance of La Liga. This season’s La Liga title race will be even more fascinating because of his prescence in the Bernabeu dugout.

There will be controversy and drama and that’s just Mourinho’s press conferences! Even if he can’t break Barca’s stranglehold he will be remembered as special. He wouldn’t have it any other way.

Will Mourinho help Real overhaul Barca in La Liga this season?