Mourinho will adapt to Real culture

Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho believes he will have to adapt his playing philosophy to his new surroundings to bring success to the Bernabeu.

Mourinho favoured a 4-3-3 formation at Chelsea and enjoyed success with a similar system at Inter Milan, but believes local conditions will define the team's playing style in Madrid.

"The cultural aspect is very important," Mourinho said in an interview with El Pais.

"It's impossible for a coach to go to a country and say 'This is my system, my playing philosophy'.

"Will I be able to do at Madrid the same thing I did at Inter in terms of playing style? Impossible. The cultural aspect is very important.

"Chelsea are champions of England, but if they played in the Primera Division they wouldn't win. Just as Barca wouldn't win the Premier League.

"The construction of your team must be carried out in accordance with the culture (of that place). I will respect the cultural aspect at Madrid."

Nevertheless, Mourinho wants his Madrid side to play attacking football.

"I have an obsession to play attacking and attractive football at Madrid," he added.

Mourinho faces the challenge of returning the good times to the Bernabeu following a period of dominance by fierce rivals Barcelona.

Mourinho worked under Bobby Robson and Louis van Gaal at the Catalan club in the late 1990s and knows current coach Pep Guardiola, then Barca captain, very well.

The Portuguese believes Guardiola, who last night won his eighth title since taking over at the Nou Camp as his side claimed the Supercopa with a 4-0 win over Sevilla, is perfectly suited to Barca.

"Pep is the perfect coach for Barca," Mourinho added. "He is Catalan, he is cule (a Barca fan), he was born there, came through the youth system, is friends with (former Barca player and coach Johan) Cruyff, and there are a lot of fans that love him.

"When (Sandro) Rosell was named president they offered him a six-year contract. I would have offered him 10."

Mourinho is not a lifelong Madrid fan himself, but says there is currently nobody more passionate about the club than him.

"There is no Madrid fan that loves the club more than me," he said.