Jose Mourinho has made winning the Champions League with Real Madrid a major priority after returning to the Santiago Bernabéu for a second spell.
The Portuguese coach returned to the Spanish giants in June and will begin his latest European campaign on Tuesday when Real Madrid host Serie A side Inter Milan.
Rather than viewing his comeback as an attempt to settle old scores, Mourinho says he has returned with a new ambition, to deliver the Champions League trophy to the club.
Mourinho targets European glory
The 63-year-old previously managed Real Madrid between 2010 and 2013, winning La Liga, the Copa del Rey and the Spanish Super Cup during his first spell.
However, he was unable to take the club to a Champions League final, despite reaching the semi-finals in each of his three seasons.
Speaking ahead of the meeting with Inter, Mourinho made it clear that European success remains central to his objectives.
“I’m here also because I want to win the Champions League with Real Madrid. Of course I want,” he said.
The manager also reflected on the situation he inherited when he first arrived at the Bernabéu.
Mourinho recalls Madrid’s difficult period
Mourinho pointed out that Real Madrid were struggling to progress deep into the Champions League before his first arrival.
“Back in 2010, we weren’t even reaching the quarter-finals of the Champions League, and it had been ages since we’d played in a semi-final. Now we’ve won six Champions Leagues in a little over a decade.”
His first stint helped restore Real Madrid’s competitiveness in Europe, even though the team ultimately fell short of reaching the final.
The club has since enjoyed an extraordinary period of Champions League success, winning six European titles in just over a decade.
