Mourinho on His Return to Real Madrid: "I Can't Hide Who I Am"
Listen to the story
José Mourinho, the well-known football coach, has returned to Real Madrid for a second spell in charge of the club.
In a recent statement, Mourinho said, "I can't hide or try to be what I am not." His words suggest that, despite past criticism, he intends to remain true to his own style.
Reports describe this second period at Real Madrid as having a low profile, meaning Mourinho is being more quiet and careful with his public comments than before.
During his first time at the club, Mourinho was known for strong opinions and public disagreements. It seems his approach this time may be different.
Meanwhile, an unusual event took place during one of the team's training sessions in Spain. An earthquake struck near Granada, and its sound reportedly reached the training ground.
According to reports, the noise from the earthquake was described as terrifying, surprising players and staff during their normal routine.
It is not yet clear whether the earthquake caused any damage or interruption to the training session itself, but the sound alone was enough to alarm those present.
Fans and journalists are now watching closely to see how Mourinho's second era at Real Madrid will unfold, especially given his comments about staying authentic to himself.
Vocabulary10 words
- coach
- a person who leads and trains a sports team
- spell
- a period of time doing a job
- low profile
- keeping quiet and not attracting much attention
- criticism
- negative comments about someone's actions
- training session
- a scheduled time for sports practice
- earthquake
- a sudden shaking of the ground caused by movement below the surface
- terrifying
- extremely frightening
- authentic
- true and real; not fake
- era
- a period of time, often linked to a person or event
- statement
- an official comment given publicly
Quiz
Answer key
1. He cannot hide or pretend to be someone else 2. As having a low profile 3. An earthquake's sound reached the training ground
Fill-in-the-blank listening
Play the audio again and fill in the missing words as you listen.
José Mourinho, the well-known football _____, has returned to Real Madrid for a second _____ in charge of the club.
In a recent statement, Mourinho said, "I can't hide or try to be what I am not." His words suggest that, despite past _____, he intends to remain true to his own style.
Reports describe this second period at Real Madrid as having a low _____, meaning Mourinho is being more quiet and careful with his public comments than before.
During his first time at the club, Mourinho was known for strong opinions and public disagreements. It seems his approach this time may be _____.
Meanwhile, an unusual event took place during one of the team's training _____ in Spain. An _____ struck near Granada, and its sound reportedly reached the training ground.
According to reports, the noise from the earthquake was described as _____, surprising players and staff during their normal routine.
Fans and journalists are now watching closely to see how Mourinho's second _____ at Real Madrid will unfold, especially given his comments about staying _____ to himself.
Discussion questions
- Why do you think Mourinho wants to be "authentic" instead of changing his personality?
- Do you think a coach's public image affects how a team performs? Why or why not?
- How might an earthquake during training affect players' focus or mood?
- What do you expect from Mourinho's second period at Real Madrid, based on his past reputation?