Mourinho’s Masterclass: How Bold Decisions Led Real Madrid to Copa del Rey Glory
VALENCIA, Spain — In the high-stakes world of professional soccer, leadership transcends mere tactical acumen. It demands the courage to make unpopular decisions, to trust one’s instincts even when faced with dissenting voices, and to manage the egos of superstar players. This beliefs, espoused by iconic manager José Mourinho, was on full display during Real Madrid’s triumphant 2011 Copa del Rey campaign, a victory that ended an 18-year drought in the competition for the Spanish giants.Mourinho’s approach, highlighted in the Netflix documentary Coach Notebooks, emphasizes the importance of directing even the most prodigious talents. “If you are not able to direct the big stars, you are not able to direct anyone,” mourinho asserts in the film. For Mourinho, managing a team is best achieved by adapting players to the team rather than adapting the team to the players, as he did with Cristiano Ronaldo.
The stage for Real Madrid’s Copa del Rey triumph was set on April 20, 2011, at the Mestalla Stadium in Valencia. The final pitted Mourinho’s Real Madrid against pep Guardiola’s Barcelona, a rivalry that defined an era of Spanish soccer.
Barcelona’s starting lineup featured a constellation of stars: goalkeeper José Manuel Pinto Colorado aka Pinto, defenders Dani Alves, Gerard Piqué, and Adriano Correia; midfielders Sergio Busquets, Javier Mascherano, Andrés Iniesta, and Xavi Hernández; and forwards Pedro Rodríguez, Lionel Messi, and David Villa.
Mourinho countered with a formidable lineup of his own: goalkeeper Iker Casillas; defenders Ricardo Carvalho, Sergio Ramos, pepe, and Marcelo Vieira; midfielders Sami Khedira, Michael Essien, and Xabi Alonso; and forwards Ángel Di María, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Karim Benzema.The key to Real Madrid’s victory lay in Mourinho’s tactical masterstroke: deploying Cristiano Ronaldo, the team’s undisputed star, in an unfamiliar center-forward position. This decision,seemingly counterintuitive,proved to be a stroke of genius. “You are not going to teach Ronaldo how to throw a penalty, but you are going to teach them how to play football in that team,” Mourinho explains in Coach Notebooks.
“Sometiems you have to move the dashboard pieces to try to create the best solution for the team,” Mourinho shares. “The first time Cristiano played in the nine-year position was in the Cup final against Barcelona,” he recalled, emphasizing the novelty and risk associated with the decision. “In that game, the right side was Dani Alves. If Ronaldo played against him, he would have chased him all the time,” he confesses, revealing the strategic rationale behind the move. The coach recalled what Cristiano Ronaldo had told: “You are not going to chase anyone. You are going to play nine, thru the center. You just have to try to score goals.”
after a tense, scoreless draw through regulation time, the match went into extra time. In the 103rd minute, Ronaldo rose above the Barcelona defense to head home a Di María cross, sealing a 1-0 victory for Real Madrid.The goal ended Real madrid’s long wait for Copa del Rey glory and marked the beginning of a new era of success for the club.
Since that watershed moment, Real Madrid has added to its trophy cabinet with further Copa del Rey titles in 2014 and 2023, along with four Champions League titles (2014, 2016, 2017, and 2018), three Club World Cups (2014, 2016, and 2017), three UEFA Super Cups (2014, 2016, and 2017), two La Liga titles (2011–12 and 2016–17), and two Spanish Super Cups (2012 and 2017).
The Counterargument
While Mourinho’s tactical brilliance is undeniable, some argue that his success is contingent on having a squad of world-class players. Critics contend that even the most astute tactical mind cannot compensate for a lack of talent on the pitch. however, Mourinho’s 2004 Champions League triumph with Porto, a team devoid of superstars, stands as a testament to his ability to build a winning team, nonetheless of budget.
FAQ
Q: What was so special about Real Madrid’s 2011 Copa del Rey win?
A: It ended an 18-year drought for Real Madrid in the competition and marked the beginning of a successful era under José Mourinho.
Q: What tactical decision did Mourinho make that proved crucial?
A: He played Cristiano Ronaldo as a center-forward, a position he wasn’t accustomed to, to exploit Barcelona’s defensive weaknesses.
Q: What does Mourinho mean when he says, “If you are not able to direct the big stars, you are not able to direct anyone”?
A: It emphasizes the importance of strong leadership and the ability to manage the egos and expectations of high-profile players.Q: How did the 2011 Copa del Rey final impact Cristiano Ronaldo’s career at Real Madrid?
A: It helped integrate him into the team’s tactical structure,showcasing his adaptability and setting the stage for future success.
Q: What other titles did Real Madrid win after thier 2011 Copa del Rey victory?
A: Real Madrid went on to win further copa del Rey titles in 2014 and 2023, along with four Champions League titles (2014, 2016, 2017, and 2018), three Club World Cups (2014, 2016, and 2017), three UEFA Super Cups (2014, 2016, and 2017), two La Liga titles (2011–12 and 2016–17), and two Spanish Super cups (2012 and 2017).
