You’re back home. Yes. It’s been many years and it’s a special day, with a lot of excitement and emotion. I’m very happy.

You seemed emotional during your presentation ceremony. Looking at the photos of the presidents in the boardroom now, it brings back a lot of memories, and when you make your way down to the Bernabéu you remember when you trained there, played against the first team and when you trained on the clay pitches that were where the Esquina del Bernabéu shopping centre is now. You feel emotional because of all those memories.

It has been 20 years since you left Real Madrid. Is this the completion of a return journey? In a sense it is, but I don't want it to be the completion because then it seems like it's over. It's the completion of a journey as regards my youth-team days, but it's the beginning of a new one that I hope lasts for many years.

Is this the realisation of a dream? Yes. Coaching any of the major clubs could be considered a dream come true, but being able to coach your home-town team, where you grew up and were able to develop, is more than that. Ultimately, you feel moved by the satisfaction you have of seeing so many people you know and who are happy that you’re here. There'll be emotions day in, day out.

How does it feel when Real Madrid come calling and you tell them you want to be their coach? You feel huge excitement, and not just because I’ve joined a big club, but because it’s Real Madrid, something that's been a part of your experiences, where you have grown up and where you have learned so many things. It’s the fulfilment of a dream and the pinnacle of my career. It’s a positive stimulus and something that spurs you on continuously. It’s an opportunity to show that if I’m here, it’s because of the track record and hard work behind me. We’ve got to look to achieve as much as possible.

While on a personal level it’s a hugely emotional moment for you, what does it mean to you professionally? The satisfaction of a job well done. You have people who have helped you and enabled you to reach a stage where the most important club in the world turns to you. As professionals we all want to get the most out of our abilities, and you’re here and now you can show it. We have to be really focused to do a good job and repay the faith that has been shown in us.

What objectives have you set yourself? Quite a few. To win the first game, then the next one and then to try to win the one after that, without focusing a lot on who the opponents are and what the competition is. We have to try to win matches and that will take us very far.

What do you expect from the fantastic squad that you have? On a professional level, they're spoken highly of. They’re a top group, with ambition, and who, for the team to be as competitive as it is, must have that permanent desire to grow and to look for victory, alongside the quality that they have. If they can be even more competitive so much the better, to lift trophies and win games.

What do you think you’re going to bring to this squad and what do you hope they can bring you? What I can bring is experience, because I’m much older than them. Because of my age and the experiences that I've had, there are things I can say to them. I will try to get the most out of the qualities that they have and, if we can correct little details or bring that touch of experience that could help them, we'll do that. Hopefully it won't be particularly needed, because with they quality that they have perhaps it's not necessary.