Fran García stated in an exclusive interview with AS that Mourinho is the most suitable coach for Real Madrid and that Bellingham is even stronger now than when he arrived at Real Madrid.

How were your first weeks at Real Betis?

Very good. Actually, most of the time we were away for pre-season matches, and La Liga has just started, but I'm having a great time. The team welcomed me from day one.

Did you expect to perform so quickly?

I left Real Madrid to get more playing time. Although my appearances at Real Madrid weren't bad, I wanted a different role. And at Real Betis, everything has gone very well: teammates, coaching staff, club staff... They helped me adapt to this new city from the start. You know, I had been in Madrid for 13 consecutive years and had never left.

Taking this step of leaving Real Madrid must not have been easy.

Real Madrid is the best club in the world, but the transfer decision was made last season. I was happy there, playing football, winning titles I dreamed of since childhood... But I needed something new. I'm not complacent, and I demand a lot from myself. I want to show my best, continue to grow, and fight to be a starter. I still had a contract and could have stayed at Real Madrid, but Real Betis was the ideal place for my career to advance. Here I know Isco and Álvaro Fidalgo, among others. They all spoke very highly of Real Betis, which gave me confidence to make the decision.

Real Madrid recently signed many left-backs.

It's true. I used to have an excellent and consistent period of performance. After the team signed Álvaro Carreras, I still managed to play in important matches at the end of that season, but I couldn't help but think... After Cucurella's transfer was completed this year, I thought: there are already four left-backs in the team, and I'm not sure how many opportunities I'll have. Ferland Mendy is injured, but he'll be back by the end of the year. Besides, the club spent fifty million on one new signing and sixty million on another. I understand that these new signings will have priority for playing time.

At the Bernabéu, both the club and your teammates always recognized you.

Yes, at least that's how I felt. Actually, Real Madrid initially wanted to keep a buyback option and held half of my transfer rights. I came from Real Madrid's youth academy and then played over 100 official matches in three years, which is not easy. As for everyone's friendship? The hardest part is trying to maintain normality. I'm always used to helping teammates when they're having problems, talking with them, listening to them. This friendship is very precious, and in top-level football, much of that has been lost. Everyone's attention is on the game, on everything that happens on the pitch. But I'm naturally an accessible person. So earning everyone's affection is something very special.

Did Isco send you a message?

Yes. I worked with him when I was promoted to the first team for training, and we were together in the season when I made my debut for Real Madrid. He sent me a message saying that I could ask him for whatever I needed here.

Marcelo once said that Isco was the player who impressed him the most.

I agree. I saw him and Rodrygo play both in the first team and in Castilla, and those two were the ones who impressed me the most.

You never worked with José Mourinho, but as a Real Madrid fan, what do you think about his return?

I don't believe there is a more suitable candidate than him; he is the ideal choice. Last season was very unusual, with too much external noise. If anyone can organize Real Madrid, unite the dressing room, manage the relationship with the fans, and deliver results, it's Mourinho.

You worked with Ancelotti; are there similarities between him and Pellegrini?

Yes, there are. Both coaches are willing to give players space to perform and are good at managing the dressing room. I think this is crucial for a club full of stars like Real Madrid. Managing a team like that is where the difficulty lies. Ancelotti did an excellent job. Pellegrini also understands this well. This is his seventh year coaching Real Betis, and he has also coached many top teams, so he completely understands how to balance the individual demands of different players within the team.

Your friend Bellingham seems like a different man.

The overall situation at Real Madrid last year was quite particular. I think the World Cup took a weight off Jude's shoulders, and now he's found his best form again. In my opinion, this is his peak period since joining Real Madrid, even better than his first season. Now it's not just about impressive statistics—his statistics from his first year were already incredible—his influence on the game has become even greater. This season, his role has been particularly prominent. I'm genuinely happy for him. In my eyes, at this stage, he is the best in the world in his position.

Is defending against Vinicius extremely difficult as an opponent?

It certainly is when you're up against him. Vinicius is a player who can change the course of a game. He never gives up, constantly tries to attack throughout the match, and even when things aren't going well, he persists. But as soon as he gets into the rhythm of the game... He was the same even in Castilla, constantly trying until he achieved results. He's still the same now: he has his ups and downs, but he never disappears. And he's still very young, with a bright future ahead. The contract renewal will also give him psychological confidence, letting him know that Real Madrid has great hopes for him.

How important is Isco for Real Betis?

Another game-changing player. As long as he's physically fit, Isco is undoubtedly among Spain's best midfielders. We all hope he overcomes his injury problems and finds his best physical form. Every day I ask him how he feels, and his feedback is very good, improving day by day. His previous cartilage injury requires daily attention, and training load must be scientifically managed, but currently, the injury no longer bothers him.

He already provided an assist against Valencia. Have you set any goals for yourself?

I always feel that if you're relaxed, enjoying the game, and in good physical condition, the results will follow naturally. If you force it or set rigid goals for yourself, it often backfires, only increasing anxiety and impatience. I won't set a goal for assists. Just staying calm is enough; what's meant to happen will happen.

When the club signs a World Cup winner like Cucurella for your position...

Cucurella and I knew each other from Spanish youth national teams, when De la Fuente coached us. I was a year ahead, and he played as a winger back then; we defended the left flank together. I sincerely hope we can play together again for the Spanish national team in the future... Cucurella coming to Real Madrid and taking my old position—that's just how football is. You see, when I was at Rayo Vallecano, Chavarría was in the same position I was, and now he's also transferred to Chelsea.

Finally, Ceballos is your teammate again.

This is excellent news; his arrival will bring a qualitative improvement to the team's strength. I'm very happy to play alongside him again; he will achieve great things here. Dani has returned to his childhood club, which he longed for so much, and this will empower him and help us get the momentum we need for the Champions League.

Finally, an interesting detail: you chose shirt number 11, which is not common for a left-back. Why?

Mainly because there weren't many numbers left. Later, I also learned that Rafael Gordillo wore number 11, and at Real Betis, there's no better role model to follow than him. In the future, I might also have the opportunity to wear number 3, as Gordillo did back then.

Traduzido por IA.

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