"The Mourinho era is done and dusted"

"Last season did not overshadow the successes of previous seasons. I prefer to take the positive, the good, I don't hold grudges. I'll take what I learnt during a period that is now done and dusted. Football goes on; we have to continue progressing, improving and remain ambitious in order to continue winning titles. This is now a new era, with a new coach, new signings and all of them are thrilled at the prospect of achieving great things," he said.

"Every coach is different, has a playing system, a philosophy, an order, habits. We’re going through that transitional phase and I can assure you that the whole team is pleased with how he works and his approachability. Hopefully, we can go on a great run and win some silverware," he said.

The Madrid vice-captain emphasised that it is important to have "a stable coaching set-up", something initiated with Mourinho. He now hopes to have this as part of a project in which he highlighted the signing of Spanish players. "We've put together a group of young Spanish players and that is great. Signing national talent is always important," he emphasised.