Robinho says he struggled during his time at Manchester City because his managers could not understand him and admits he found the city "an awful place to live".
Soon after breaking the British transfer record to move to Eastlands from Real Madrid, Robinho's performances dipped and he was loaned out to Santos before sealing a permanent switch to Milan on transfer deadline day.
"Neither [Mark] Hughes nor [Roberto] Mancini understood me," the Brazilian told The People. "Perhaps they only believed in the sporting side of things, but that wasn't enough for me.
"There was a lack of contact between the players and the club. It was much like an office - to training and goodbye, to a match and goodbye. I am Brazilian and I can't offer my best performance if I'm not happy in every aspect of life.
"That was my problem. I am a special footballer and I need to be happy when I'm playing. That was the case at Real Madrid but never at City. Perhaps I should never have left Real Madrid.
"My destination was Chelsea with Luiz Felipe Scolari but, at the last moment, City appeared and I accepted. I did not decide the transfer. Correspondence is always between clubs and I am not responsible for what anyone will pay, but Mark Hughes called me and insisted I joined the club. He was decisive in my move."
After a positive start to his career at City, Robinho failed to perform consistently, a fact he attributes to his unsuccessful adaptation to life in England.
"At the beginning it was positive, but England is a hard country and I had problems adapting," he said. "Having Elano and Jo in the squad was a real bonus. They helped me to adapt but then Elano left I still don't understand the motives behind his exit.
"I do not understand why people said things about us. We all demonstrated our quality in the team, and Elano and I were both then in the Brazil side. Perhaps Hughes did not understand how best to use us both in his squad.
"After that, Mark left and I don't think that Mancini had confidence in me. Going on loan to Santos was the best solution because, if I'd stayed at City, I would not have played in the World Cup. The loan was very successful. I recaptured my love of football, won a title and confirmed my place in the Brazil team. It was an excellent experience and they tried to extend my loan, but City had made up their minds to sell."
Robinho also said that he found the climate in the English city unbearable and was disappointed that City failed to become real title contenders during his stay.
"When I arrived, the directors at City told me that, in a couple of years, we would overtake United, but the time has passed and nothing has changed," he said.
"Manchester is a sensational venue for football but an awful place to live ... the winter, the cold and the dark nights. It's very hard for a young Brazilian.
"The Premier League is one of the best in the world, without a doubt. The stadiums are always full and the atmosphere is incredible, but not every footballer is able to play in England. The character can be difficult for a foreigner.
"The best stadiums are Anfield and Old Trafford because of their histories, and my best memories will be my first goal for City and how happy everyone was with me, and the support City fans gave me during my stay."
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Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Monday, July 26, 2010
Real Madrid Legend Raul Bids Emotional Farewell To Blancos
"I'd like to thank everybody for their support throughout the years. The fans, my team-mates, coaches, presidents and the press. I want to say a special word of thanks to my family. I'd be nothing without them. I also want to wish Alfredo Di Stefano a speedy recovery.
Raul ¦ Stands alongside Alfredo Di Stefano in Real Madrid history books
"I will always be ready if Real Madrid need me. Hala Madrid!," ended the legendary number seven before leaving for the pitch of the Santiago Bernabeu.
The 33-year-old made his first team debut for Los Blancos in 1994, having originally started his career across the town with city rivals Atletico Madrid, and has since established himself as one of the Spanish giant's best players of all time.
Raul has yet to reveal where he will ply his trade next term, but the attacker is widely expected to join Bundesliga side Schalke. Reports from Germany suggest that he's set to sign a two-year deal with the Royal Blues and that Raul will be presented to the press on Thursday.
Raul ¦ Stands alongside Alfredo Di Stefano in Real Madrid history books
"I will always be ready if Real Madrid need me. Hala Madrid!," ended the legendary number seven before leaving for the pitch of the Santiago Bernabeu.
The 33-year-old made his first team debut for Los Blancos in 1994, having originally started his career across the town with city rivals Atletico Madrid, and has since established himself as one of the Spanish giant's best players of all time.
Raul has yet to reveal where he will ply his trade next term, but the attacker is widely expected to join Bundesliga side Schalke. Reports from Germany suggest that he's set to sign a two-year deal with the Royal Blues and that Raul will be presented to the press on Thursday.
Friday, July 16, 2010
OFFICIAL: Real Madrid Sign Getafe's Pedro Leon
The Spanish winger has put pen to paper a six year deal at the santiago Barnabeu
Real Madrid have confirmed via their official website that a deal has been struck with La Liga minnows Getafe over the transfer of Spanish winger Pedro Leon.
According to the official announcement, Pedro Leon, 23, will sign a six-year contract with Los Blancos. The transfer is only subject to a physical, which will take place on Friday morning.
While no transfer fee has been reported, the Spanish press believe that a sum in the region of €10 million has been agreed between the two sides.
Speculation was rife over the past couple of weeks that Real Madrid president Florentino Perez and General Director Jorge Valdano were interested in signing the young Spaniard, but were waiting the seal of approval by coach Jose Mourinho.
Pedro Leon
Date of Birth: 24 November, 1986
Place of Birth: Mula, Spain
Nationality: Spain
Height: 183 cm
Weight: 70 kg
Position: Right Winger
Former Clubs: Murcia, Levante, Valladolid, Getafe
Pedro Leon, who previously played for Spain's Under-21 side, began his professional career in 2005 with Real Murcia. He played with Levante and Valladolid before moving to Getafe, where he was a key figure in the Europa League qualification.
Pedro Leon is Jose Mourinho's third signing as Real Madrid manager, with Angel di Maria and Sergio Canales the two others.
The official presentation of Pedro Leon will also take place on Friday at 12:30 CET, at the Presidential Balcony of the Santiago Bernabeu.
Real Madrid have confirmed via their official website that a deal has been struck with La Liga minnows Getafe over the transfer of Spanish winger Pedro Leon.
According to the official announcement, Pedro Leon, 23, will sign a six-year contract with Los Blancos. The transfer is only subject to a physical, which will take place on Friday morning.
While no transfer fee has been reported, the Spanish press believe that a sum in the region of €10 million has been agreed between the two sides.
Speculation was rife over the past couple of weeks that Real Madrid president Florentino Perez and General Director Jorge Valdano were interested in signing the young Spaniard, but were waiting the seal of approval by coach Jose Mourinho.
Pedro Leon
Date of Birth: 24 November, 1986
Place of Birth: Mula, Spain
Nationality: Spain
Height: 183 cm
Weight: 70 kg
Position: Right Winger
Former Clubs: Murcia, Levante, Valladolid, Getafe
Pedro Leon, who previously played for Spain's Under-21 side, began his professional career in 2005 with Real Murcia. He played with Levante and Valladolid before moving to Getafe, where he was a key figure in the Europa League qualification.
Pedro Leon is Jose Mourinho's third signing as Real Madrid manager, with Angel di Maria and Sergio Canales the two others.
The official presentation of Pedro Leon will also take place on Friday at 12:30 CET, at the Presidential Balcony of the Santiago Bernabeu.
Thursday, July 1, 2010
BREAKING NEWS: Angel Di Maria Completes €25 Million Move To Real Madrid The Argentine ace has put pen to paper on a six year deal at the Santiago Bernabeu...
By Paul Macdonald
June 28
Argentina international Angel di Maria has completed his move to Real Madrid from Benfica for a reported fee of €25 million, signing a six-year contract at the Santiago Bernabeu.
A statement on the club's official website reads:
"Real Madrid C. F. and S. L. Benfica have come to terms for the transfer of Angel di Maria. The player will sign a six-year contract with Real Madrid C.F."
The exciting 22-year old has been consistently linked with a switch to the Spanish capital, with the player confirming to his former Benfica team-mates that the deal was all but done.
Newly appointed Blancos coach Jose Mourinho had expressly asked for the signature of the flying winger, who is currently representing his nation at the World Cup in South Africa.
Assisted by the player’s agent, Jorge Mendes, Real Madrid and Benfica reached an agreement for a fee of €25m, which is €15m less than the buy-out clause in Di Maria’s contract.
Di Maria began his career in 2005 in his homeland with Rosario Central. He moved to Portugal in 2007, and in his final season at the Estadio da Luz he helped Benfica to their first league title in five seasons.
He becomes Jose Mourinho's first signing as Real Madrid coach as he looks to halt Barcelona from winning their third consecutive Primera Division title.
June 28
Argentina international Angel di Maria has completed his move to Real Madrid from Benfica for a reported fee of €25 million, signing a six-year contract at the Santiago Bernabeu.
A statement on the club's official website reads:
"Real Madrid C. F. and S. L. Benfica have come to terms for the transfer of Angel di Maria. The player will sign a six-year contract with Real Madrid C.F."
The exciting 22-year old has been consistently linked with a switch to the Spanish capital, with the player confirming to his former Benfica team-mates that the deal was all but done.
Newly appointed Blancos coach Jose Mourinho had expressly asked for the signature of the flying winger, who is currently representing his nation at the World Cup in South Africa.
Assisted by the player’s agent, Jorge Mendes, Real Madrid and Benfica reached an agreement for a fee of €25m, which is €15m less than the buy-out clause in Di Maria’s contract.
Di Maria began his career in 2005 in his homeland with Rosario Central. He moved to Portugal in 2007, and in his final season at the Estadio da Luz he helped Benfica to their first league title in five seasons.
He becomes Jose Mourinho's first signing as Real Madrid coach as he looks to halt Barcelona from winning their third consecutive Primera Division title.
Friday, June 4, 2010
OFFICIAL: Real Madrid Present Jose Mourinho As New Coach The 'Special One' will coach Los Merengues for the next four years for a reported €10 million a season. By KS Leong
Real Madrid have officially unveiled Jose Mourinho as their new coach following a presentation in the Santiago Bernabeu press room on Monday afternoon.
Just a little over a week after winning the Champions League with Inter at the Bernabeu, Mourinho will succeed Manuel Pellegrini at the Blancos coaching hot-seat after Madrid successfully negotiated his exit from the Nerazzurri last Friday.
Accompanied and introduced by Madrid director-general Jorge Valdano, Mourinho began by admitting that he has forgotten most of the Spanish that he picked up while he was at Barcelona, but vowed to be able to address the media in fluent Spanish once the pre-season starts.
“I don’t know whether I was born to coach Real Madrid, but I was certainly born to be a coach. I’d like challenges, and this is a challenge for me. I was attracted to the great history and tradition that Madrid have, but also for their frustrations in recent years to win titles. Madrid are a unique club, and to not be able to train Madrid would’ve been a void in my career.
“Luckily I have had a good career so far and it gives me great pride to be able to coach Real Madrid.
“I have a winning attitude and Madrid should always have great players and great coaches. I want my players to have the same winning mentality. That is my motivation, to have my players share the same attitude.”
Mourinho will be Los Merengues’ 11th coach in just over seven years, but the ‘Special One’ is not worried about suffering the same fate as his predecessors did.
“I think every coach needs to be prepared for any challenge, but if a coach is scared of something, scared of being sacked, then things are not working well,” he explained.
“There will always be great difficulties. But I have confidence in myself. I believe in my abilities. I never think about leaving or being sack. I have a four-year contract, more than enough to win trophies, create a new identity, and prepare a good team for the present and for the future.
“I’m looking forward to getting to work, I have confidence in myself and in my players and I hope that my new team will have the same conviction in me.
“I like to thank everyone at Madrid, to Florentino Perez, Valdano, to the board for thinking I’m the ideal candidate for the project... to build a winning team.
“I am who i am. I am Jose Mourinho and I will not change. I’m here at real Madrid and I come with all my qualities and flaws.”
On converting Madrid to a winning side:
“I’m going to try and make reality what I envision for this club. The best thing to do is to have confidence in the team and if you can do that, you can achieve your objectives... along with hard work.
“There will also be a need to change some things in accordance to the way I work. The players will have to adapt to the way I think and train.
“I’m just a coach here at Real Madrid, nothing more. I’ve always said that it’s vital to have quality people working with me at all levels. In order to be a good coach you need good people working with you and I always want to have the best working with me.”
On his biggest challenge and his relationship with Cristiano Ronaldo:
“It’s too early to talk about changes. I need time to analyze the situation... ask a lot of questions, wait for answers, work for the information, and realize where I am and realize the direction of my work.
“As for Ronaldo, I understand that he is an incredibly important player not just for Real Madrid, but for football. But the strength of my team will always be the team, not individuals. Players must understand the most important thing is the club, not the player or the coach.
“If we all work as a group, it will be easier to get results. Cristiano is a winner and if he likes to win, it won’t be difficult to tell him that the most important thing is the club, not the individual.”
On being the best:
“No, I don’t consider myself to be the best. There are several coaches who can be considered the best. At the end of the day, the result at the end of the season is what counts. I had a fantastic season, I won every trophy possible, but that comes down to the team.”
After meeting with Florentino Perez and several members of the board, Mourinho formally signed his four-year contract.
He then had a brief conversation with the club's Honorary President Alfredo di Stefano, before being presented with the pen that he used to ink his contract, a replica of the Santiago Bernabeu, a gold watch, and the Madrid jersey with "Mourinho" and "No. 1" on the back.
Just a little over a week after winning the Champions League with Inter at the Bernabeu, Mourinho will succeed Manuel Pellegrini at the Blancos coaching hot-seat after Madrid successfully negotiated his exit from the Nerazzurri last Friday.
Accompanied and introduced by Madrid director-general Jorge Valdano, Mourinho began by admitting that he has forgotten most of the Spanish that he picked up while he was at Barcelona, but vowed to be able to address the media in fluent Spanish once the pre-season starts.
“I don’t know whether I was born to coach Real Madrid, but I was certainly born to be a coach. I’d like challenges, and this is a challenge for me. I was attracted to the great history and tradition that Madrid have, but also for their frustrations in recent years to win titles. Madrid are a unique club, and to not be able to train Madrid would’ve been a void in my career.
“Luckily I have had a good career so far and it gives me great pride to be able to coach Real Madrid.
“I have a winning attitude and Madrid should always have great players and great coaches. I want my players to have the same winning mentality. That is my motivation, to have my players share the same attitude.”
Mourinho will be Los Merengues’ 11th coach in just over seven years, but the ‘Special One’ is not worried about suffering the same fate as his predecessors did.
“I think every coach needs to be prepared for any challenge, but if a coach is scared of something, scared of being sacked, then things are not working well,” he explained.
“There will always be great difficulties. But I have confidence in myself. I believe in my abilities. I never think about leaving or being sack. I have a four-year contract, more than enough to win trophies, create a new identity, and prepare a good team for the present and for the future.
“I’m looking forward to getting to work, I have confidence in myself and in my players and I hope that my new team will have the same conviction in me.
“I like to thank everyone at Madrid, to Florentino Perez, Valdano, to the board for thinking I’m the ideal candidate for the project... to build a winning team.
“I am who i am. I am Jose Mourinho and I will not change. I’m here at real Madrid and I come with all my qualities and flaws.”
On converting Madrid to a winning side:
“I’m going to try and make reality what I envision for this club. The best thing to do is to have confidence in the team and if you can do that, you can achieve your objectives... along with hard work.
“There will also be a need to change some things in accordance to the way I work. The players will have to adapt to the way I think and train.
“I’m just a coach here at Real Madrid, nothing more. I’ve always said that it’s vital to have quality people working with me at all levels. In order to be a good coach you need good people working with you and I always want to have the best working with me.”
On his biggest challenge and his relationship with Cristiano Ronaldo:
“It’s too early to talk about changes. I need time to analyze the situation... ask a lot of questions, wait for answers, work for the information, and realize where I am and realize the direction of my work.
“As for Ronaldo, I understand that he is an incredibly important player not just for Real Madrid, but for football. But the strength of my team will always be the team, not individuals. Players must understand the most important thing is the club, not the player or the coach.
“If we all work as a group, it will be easier to get results. Cristiano is a winner and if he likes to win, it won’t be difficult to tell him that the most important thing is the club, not the individual.”
On being the best:
“No, I don’t consider myself to be the best. There are several coaches who can be considered the best. At the end of the day, the result at the end of the season is what counts. I had a fantastic season, I won every trophy possible, but that comes down to the team.”
After meeting with Florentino Perez and several members of the board, Mourinho formally signed his four-year contract.
He then had a brief conversation with the club's Honorary President Alfredo di Stefano, before being presented with the pen that he used to ink his contract, a replica of the Santiago Bernabeu, a gold watch, and the Madrid jersey with "Mourinho" and "No. 1" on the back.
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