Di Maria: Mourinho made me grow

Angel di Maria has mused this week on the impact he believes Jose Mourinho has had on his development as a player at Real Madrid.

Los Blancos were believed to have signed the Argentine winger at the express request of Mourinho in the summer of 2010, and the duo spent three seasons together at the Santiago Bernabeu, before the Coach’s departure this summer.

“Mourinho made me a better player,” Di Maria has reflected to Ole in an interview published today.

“He taught me many things, he made me grow as a player. He helped me to move to a new position, to provide more sacrifice to the team in general. I am very grateful to him.

“He said that at Real I should be a forward who in turn could also defend. I could not rest on every play when the opponent attacked us. As I responded, during the three years he was at Madrid he used me as a starter. The Di Maria who began his career at Rosario Central, compared to the one now, tactically and technically, is another.

“Mourinho always went to the Press conferences and assumed all responsibility. He had a good relationship with those at the club and all his players speak highly of him.

“There are many Argentines who respect him greatly.”

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