Ángel di María pays tribute to José Mourinho
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Real Madrid winger Ángel di María believes his former coach José Mourinho has helped him become the player that he is today.
Los Merengues were believed to have signed the 25-year-old at the request of Mourinho in 2010, and the duo spent three seasons together at the Bernabéu before the coach's departure to Chelsea this summer.
Di María told Diario Olé: "Mourinho made me a better player. He taught me many things, and made me grow as a player.
"He helped me to move into a different position, to sacrifice myself more for the team. I'm very grateful to him.
"He told me that at Real I should be a forward that could also defend, and that I couldn't rest when the opponent attacked us.
"As I responded, during the three years he was at Madrid, he used me as a starter.
"The di María who began his career at Rosario Central, compared to the one now is a different player, both technically and tactically."
The Argentina international added: "Mourinho always speaks at the conferences and takes on all the responsibility.
"That's why he has a good relationship with the staff he was in charge of, and all the players say good things about him.
"Many Argentinians have loads of respect for Mourinho."
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| Ángel di María and José Mourinho worked together during their time together at Real Madrid Photo: Getty Images |
Los Merengues were believed to have signed the 25-year-old at the request of Mourinho in 2010, and the duo spent three seasons together at the Bernabéu before the coach's departure to Chelsea this summer.
Di María told Diario Olé: "Mourinho made me a better player. He taught me many things, and made me grow as a player.
"He helped me to move into a different position, to sacrifice myself more for the team. I'm very grateful to him.
"He told me that at Real I should be a forward that could also defend, and that I couldn't rest when the opponent attacked us.
"As I responded, during the three years he was at Madrid, he used me as a starter.
"The di María who began his career at Rosario Central, compared to the one now is a different player, both technically and tactically."
The Argentina international added: "Mourinho always speaks at the conferences and takes on all the responsibility.
"That's why he has a good relationship with the staff he was in charge of, and all the players say good things about him.
"Many Argentinians have loads of respect for Mourinho."
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