Former Real Madrid goalkeeper Kiko Casilla says the club “needs” Jose Mourinho now and believes the players will deliver maximum effort under the Portuguese manager.
Casilla was speaking to Cadena SER about the new Real Madrid season and Mourinho’s return. The goalkeeper came through the club’s youth system before becoming part of the squad that won three consecutive Champions League titles under Zinedine Zidane, acting as Keylor Navas’ deputy.
He also spent eight years at Espanyol, where he gradually established himself as an important player and one of the leading Spanish goalkeepers of his generation. Casilla recalled his first return to the Santiago Bernabeu with Espanyol as a particularly significant moment.
“When you are a Real Madrid youth player, being able to return to La Liga itself is a special anticipation,” he said. “Coming here as a youth, and then stepping onto the Bernabeu pitch again, that feeling is very special.”
Casilla praised Mourinho’s record and influence on football before outlining what he expects from the current Real Madrid squad.
“He is a truly great coach, not only achieving a lot at the club level but also contributing greatly to the entire sport of football,” said Casilla. “Ultimately, Real Madrid needs him now, and I believe he will respond.”
The former goalkeeper admitted he did not know which tactical system Mourinho would use, but expected the squad to match the standards demanded by their new manager.
“I don’t know his specific plans, system, or how the team will play, but I know the players will give 100%,” he said. “They know that with a coach like him, they have to give 100%.”
Casilla believes Real Madrid will need to maintain their intensity throughout matches, from the opening whistle until the final stages. He expects a compact side that defends securely before attacking at speed, drawing on Mourinho’s counter-attacking approach from his previous spell at the club.
“Ultimately, Real Madrid wanted to make this coaching change, and it was necessary, perhaps to get the players more involved,” he said. “His team has a certain intensity of play, they will launch attacks quickly, and I think Real Madrid has the players suitable for this style of play.”
Casilla also discussed the challenge of replacing the midfield balance previously provided by Toni Kroos, Luka Modric and Casemiro.
“You will never have another Kroos,” he said. “I think it will be very difficult to have another player as good as Toni Kroos, Luka Modric, and Casemiro.”
He added that Real Madrid must either recruit players with similar qualities or adapt its midfield to complement the attacking and defensive options already available.
Casilla identified Rodri as the player he felt could have supplied that balance, saying the midfielder understands when to attack and how to control the tempo. However, he noted that Rodri is now at Barcelona and said Real Madrid must move on from that possibility.
The former goalkeeper was unsure whether the club would make a major investment before the transfer window closes, although he believes the existing squad is already strong enough.
Casilla also urged caution over comparisons between the current attacking group and the club’s previous “BBC” combination. He said Diomande, in particular, still needed time to establish himself, having only recently entered professional football after being at Leganes two years ago.
“He still has a long way to go,” Casilla said. “He is very young, and there are many possibilities in the future.”
He remains hopeful that the current players can eventually reach the level of the earlier trio, but stressed that such progress would take time.
At Real Madrid, Casilla added, the Champions League always carries a special significance, even though the competition becomes more demanding every year as the number of strong opponents increases.
