Andre Villas-Boas Backs Jose Mourinho to Revive Real Madrid

Andre Villas-Boas has backed Jose Mourinho, saying the Real Madrid manager is still one of the best coaches in the world despite the tough job waiting for him at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Villas-Boas, the former Porto manager who is now the club's president, thinks Mourinho is the right man to rebuild Real Madrid. Florentino Perez appointed Mourinho last summer. 

"Jose Mourinho is still one of the best in the world; I've always known that. And now he's managing the best club in the world," Villas-Boas said, according to AS. 

"It's a shame that Barcelona are in this state. He's taking over at a great time, just as he did when he left Inter. But these are the challenges Mourinho enjoys the most."

Real Madrid are still looking for their first major trophy after two disappointing seasons, and Mourinho was brought in to change that. The job has got harder because Barcelona have made a strong start to the season. Hansi Flick's side are the early leaders, which leaves Mourinho little room for error as he tries to close the gap.

The Clasico on October 25 is already shaping up as one of the biggest games of the season. Before that, Real Madrid need to find more consistency if they want to challenge Barcelona over the whole campaign.

Villas-Boas is not the only person from Mourinho's past to speak up for him. Wesley Sneijder, who worked with Mourinho at Inter and played for Real Madrid, also believes in the Portuguese coach. 

"Mourinho is the only manager capable of turning Real Madrid's fortunes around," Sneijder had said.

Mourinho has the experience to handle the current Real Madrid dressing room, but Barcelona's form means the pressure is on him to deliver quickly.