Villas-Boas: Mourinho still among world's best ahead of Clásico

📰 Porto president André Villas-Boas has defended Real Madrid's coach, insisting José Mourinho is "still among the best in the world" as Madrid chase Barcelona. 📌 Key points 🗣️ Villas-Boas said Mourinho remains one of the world's best coaches. 🔥 He called a fight with a strong Barça the challenge Mourinho enjoys most. 📉 Madrid are currently six points behind leaders Barcelona. 🇳🇱 Sneijder added that only Mourinho can turn Madrid around. 🏟️ The two sides meet in El Clásico at Camp Nou on 25 October. 📝 What happened 🗣️ Villas-Boas, Mourinho's former assistant and now Porto president, said Mourinho is still one of the best coaches in the world, managing the best club in the world. He added that this is precisely the sort of challenge Mourinho relishes. ⚖️ He said it was a shame Barcelona are doing so well, comparing the situation to the moment Mourinho left Inter. Wesley Sneijder, who played under him at Inter, also said Mourinho is the only manager who can turn Real Madrid around. 📉 According to beIN SPORTS, Madrid turned back to Mourinho after two seasons without a major trophy. Barcelona, last season's La Liga champions, now lead Madrid by six points. 🔙 In his first spell (2010–2013), Mourinho went up against Guardiola's Barça and won one league title, one Copa del Rey and one Supercopa. His 2011–12 side won La Liga with 100 points and 121 goals. 📊 By the numbers • Gap to leaders Barcelona: 6 points • First-spell trophies: 1 La Liga, 1 Copa del Rey, 1 Supercopa • 2011–12 La Liga: 100 points, 121 goals • October fixtures: 5 (Villarreal, Roma, Sevilla, Leipzig, Barcelona) 🔭 Why it matters Mourinho has called this season "a marathon" and urged patience. The run of five games from Villarreal on 10 October to El Clásico at Camp Nou on 25 October is the first real test of whether Madrid can close the gap.