Real Madrid midfielder Mahamadou Diarra is looking forward to working with new coach Jose Mourinho.

Diarra, a peripheral figure at Madrid under Manuel Pellegrini last season, believes the club should have recruited Mourinho a year ago with the former Chelsea boss going on to win the treble with Inter Milan before moving to Spain at the end of May.

"I think Madrid, whether I am here or not next season, have brought in the right coach," he told Marca.

And he added: "With all the super signings they made (last year), I think they should have looked to bring him in last year. He should have been here a year ago."

Diarra thinks the 47-year-old possesses the same winning mentality as Fabio Capello.

"I compare him to Capello because of his mentality. Capello came here and won after Madrid had gone four years without a trophy.

"After instilling discipline and the Madrid values, he made us understand that you weren't going to be a starter because of your pretty face," he said. "Everyone understood. He dropped (David) Beckham, Ronaldo and (Antonio) Cassano, even Raul when necessary. He wasn't afraid to do that and I have heard that Mourinho is the same.

"From having spoken to (Didier) Drogba and (Michael) Essien (who both played under Mourinho at Chelsea), he is very close to the players and they all feel in confidence.

"You know that if you get 20 minutes and you do well, it will have served for something. He has everyone at the same level and that's why he won three titles (last season, with Inter Milan). His players are always ready mentally and physically to play, prepared for the precise moment."