Courtois says Mourinho’s calmness is exactly what Real need
Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois spoke to, crediting, about his renewed partnership with manager Jose Mourinho. The duo, who first worked together at Chelsea, were reunited at the Santiago Bernabeu this summer when Mourinho succeeded Alvaro Arbeloa as head coach.
Mourinho’s impact and evolution
Courtois said he is very happy with Mourinho’s return and delighted to work with him again after they left Chelsea on good terms. “It’s great, really great, I’m very happy. When he left Chelsea, we parted on good terms. It’s always good to work with him again; he’s an excellent coach,” he said.
He admitted he missed Mourinho’s first text for two weeks because he was on a flight during the World Cup and had no Wi‑Fi. After a match, Mourinho messaged again and Courtois asked a colleague at Real Madrid whether it was the coach’s number, confirming the line is now open.
Courtois noted that Mourinho now appears calmer and less intense, having matured with experience. He added that while Mourinho’s personality and presence remain powerful in the dressing room, the intensity he displayed at Chelsea twelve years ago has softened.
Views on Alonso and Bellingham
Discussing former Real Madrid boss Xabi Alonso, Courtois recalled that Alonso replaced Carlo Ancelotti last year but was dismissed midway through the season. He said, “When the results aren’t good, the manager is the first to pay the price.” Courtois suggested that a lack of understanding between Alonso and some players may have contributed to his exit, yet he praised Alonso’s work ethic and believed he will succeed at Chelsea.
Courtois also lavished praise on teammate Jude Bellingham, calling him a great friend and an excellent player. He said Bellingham had a fantastic first season, noting the team as a whole fell short of expectations last year. Courtois highlighted Bellingham’s importance, describing him as excellent on the ball, in running and defending, and still very young. He hopes Bellingham will win more titles with Real Madrid and the England national team, adding that he would be happy for England even if Belgium wins the European Championship.
Turning to his own international future, Courtois explained he intends to step away from the Belgium national team after the 2026 FIFA World Cup, though he has not announced full retirement. At 34, he felt the World Cup would be a fitting endpoint, but he enjoyed the tournament immensely. He said playing for Belgium gave him a joy he had not felt for several years and described the experience as truly enjoyable.