#9 Jose Mourinho
“It (Real Madrid) is a unique club and I believe that not to coach Real (Madrid) leaves a void in a coach’s career.” – Jose Mourinho
One of the most iconic quotes on the club has been made by the self-anointed “Special One” Jose Mourinho. Mourinho was at the helm of affairs at the Santiago Bernabeu for three seasons between 2010 and 2013 and while his time at the club might have been troubled, he was still fairly successful. The quote from the Portuguese essentially summarises how highly the managerial community rates the job at Real Madrid.
Real Madrid is the elite institution in the game of football and to be associated with the club is perhaps the pinnacle of achievement for every individual.
#10 Santiago Bernabeu
“The Real Madrid shirt is white. It can stain of mud, sweat and even of blood, but never of shame!”
The very fact that Real Madrid have named their stadium after the great man speaks volumes about the role of Santiago Bernabeu had in making the club a formidable force. After being associated with the club as a player, Bernabeu became an integral part of the club’s hierarchy and played a pivotal role as their President for 33 long years.
He laid the foundations for the club’s ascent on the footballing map during his time as the club’s president between 1943 and 1977. Unafraid to express his love for the club, Don Santiago, as he was lovingly called, made the statement that essentially symbolised Real’s position as one of the elite clubs in the world.
