Borussia Dortmund midfielder Nuri Sahin insists he did not fail during his spell away from the Bundesliga at Real Madrid.
The midfielder left Dortmund for Real in 2011, but failed to secure regular first-team action under Jose Mourinho.
He also endured an unsuccessful loan spell at Liverpool in the first half of this season before returning to Germany.
Of his time in Spain, Sahin said he has fond memories of working with Mourinho
It was an honour to work with Mourinho. He was always honest to me and treated me fairly. He always said everything to me in private, Sahin was quoted as saying by Sport Bild.
From the outside, people will perhaps say that I failed abroad. It was simply not meant to be, though, and I also played my part in it.
Sahin has made eight Bundesliga appearances since his return to Dortmund, scoring two goals in the process.
