Jobless Jose Mourinho has revealed his best experiences as a manager came at Real Madrid.
The legendary coach has enjoyed near unparalleled success across Europe, winning the Champions League with Porto then Inter.
He has also claimed two top-flight titles in Portugal, three Premier Leagues with Chelsea, two Serie As and La Liga.
Mourinho is currently out of work with his last job being at Manchester United where he won the Europa League before being sacked last December.
And despite his European successes with Inter and Porto as well as three championships at Stamford Bridge across two spells, the 56-year-old’s heart appears to lie with Los Blancos.
In an interview with TV station Channel 11 in his homeland, the Portuguese said: "Real Madrid was my best experience because of what I learned as a coach as a man and for the lessons that I took in my career and in my life.
"It is the best memory of my career, it was fantastic."
Mourinho revealed the Bernabeu hierarchy charged him with obliterating Barcelona.
And he opened up on the Copa del Rey success over Barca he insists acted as a springboard for further triumphs.
He added: "What they asked me at Real Madrid suited my nature.
"They told me the best team in Spain was from the other side, that they were crushing us and we had to reverse the situation.
"We had to prevent Barca from crushing us and that's why the Mestalla Cup final is the most important (trophy he won).
"From there nothing was the same. We won the League, the Super Cup, but nothing was like the Cup final and I unfortunately failed to win the three Champions semi-finals "
