Thibaut Courtois showed excitement about his reunion with José Mourinho, now confirmed as Real Madrid's new coach, succeeding Álvaro Arbeloa. The 63-year-old Portuguese coach returns to a club where he previously managed between 2010 and 2013, a period in which he won a LaLiga title and fueled a fierce rivalry with Pep Guardiola's Barcelona.
Courtois, who worked with Mourinho at Chelsea, praised the coach's direct way of leading and recalled a memorable episode from his time in London. "We had our occasional outbursts, of course," he began, smiling. "For example, he left me on the bench against Everton because I had missed two crosses in the previous game against Aston Villa. It was his way of nudging me. The following week I was back in goal against West Ham and made five or six crucial saves. Mourinho is a very direct manager; I am the same. Our relationship has always been very good."
Since arriving at Real Madrid in 2018, Courtois has 129 clean sheets, the fourth best record among goalkeepers in the top five European leagues in that period. Among goalkeepers with 50 or more games, the Belgian has a save rate of 74.3%, the third best, surpassed only by Gianluigi Buffon (74.6%) and Mile Svilar (75.1%).
Now 34 years old and with just one year remaining on his contract, the Belgian international admits some natural uncertainty, but maintains his confidence. "At Real Madrid, the rule that prevails is that, from the age of 30, renewals are made every year. Therefore, I am calm. If it maintains its level, renewing will not be a problem. Real is a top club and, at some point, it will consider a successor. Ideally, I would like to end my career in Madrid", he stated.
The reunion between Courtois and Mourinho promises to mark the beginning of the new Merengue era, with the goalkeeper assuming himself, once again, as a key part of the project under the Portuguese coach.