Real Madrid News

The Real Madrid president has confirmed the club approached Paris Saint-Germain to poach Carlo Ancelotti and says that no compensation will be given to the outgoing Portuguese boss

Real Madrid president Florentino Perez has revealed that the club are targeting Paris Saint-Germain boss Carlo Ancelotti as one of “several candidates” to replace the outgoing Jose Mourinho.

The club revealed on Monday that the Portuguese trainer will leave the Santiago Bernabeu this summer and the search for his successor has already begun.

Perez confirmed that an approach had been made for Ancelotti – who has expressed his desire to leave Parc des Princes for the Liga giants – but that les Parisiens are keen to hold on to the Italian.

“I want to express my utmost respect for the PSG and their owner,” he said in a press conference on Monday, after revealing that Mourinho was set to leave.

“A few days ago, the club’s director general spoke to PSG to see whether it was possible that he could come and they told us no.

“That is an issue that we will address tomorrow, we have a few days to think about it. There are several candidates [not just Ancelotti].”

PSG sporting director Leonardo resisted any temptation to attack the Blancos for their pursuit of the former AC Milan coach, who led the French club to their first Ligue 1 title in 19 years this season.

“We do want to condemn anyone,” he told French radio station RTL, when asked about Madrid’s approach for Ancelotti. “The best way forwards is always to speak [to each other].”

Madrid president Perez also confirmed that no pay-off will be given to Mourinho upon his exit, with the club and the coach – whom it is believed will return to Chelsea – having agreed to part ways amicably.

“No compensation will be given [to Mourinho] upon his departure from the club,” he added.

The mutual agreement between the club and Mourinho suggests he likely has another job lined up, as there was a clause in the former Inter boss’ contract which stated that whoever broke the agreement would have to pay €10 million to the other party.

The Portuguese’s position had become untenable in recent weeks, especially after Friday’s debacle in the Copa del Rey. Now he’s leaving, but the club can grow stronger without him

COMMENT
By Ben Hayward | Spanish Football Writer

He had to go. Jose Mourinho’s position at Real Madrid had become untenable in the last few weeks and months and, following the debacle which was the club’s derby defeat against Atletico in the final of the Copa del Rey on Friday, when the Portuguese was sent off, admitted he had been a failure this term, snubbed the King of Spain and abused the referee in the car park, his exit was merely a matter of time. Without him, Madrid will be better off – there can be little doubt about that.

It has not been all bad in these last three seasons: Madrid claimed the Copa del Rey by beating Barcelona in his first campaign, won La Liga with a record points total (100) last term and also added the Spanish Supercopa in the current season. But much more was expected from the 50-year-old in terms of trophies and, in any case, it is the damage done off the pitch which will have forced Florentino Perez to cut ties with the man in which he placed almost unconditional faith three years ago in an attempt to dethrone Barca and bring La Decima to the capital club.

Mourinho failed to bring a 10th trophy in Europe’s premier club competition, losing out in three successive semi-finals, and he leaves a long line of controversies which made Monday’s announcement the only option for Perez as he attempts to save face in a summer when elections will be held at the Santiago Bernabeu (even though there are unlikely to be any other candidates).

The Portuguese has caused controversy almost from the outset. In his three years, he has publicly attacked players, fans, journalists, Madrid’s youth-team coach, the board, referees, rivals and almost everyone else imaginable. And this term, his decision to drop club captain Iker Casillas has led to deep divisions within the playing squad. There was no way back after that.

Friday only served to exacerbate the bad feeling. Mourinho’s fantastic final record was blemished by defeat to Atletico at the Bernabeu, of all places, as the Portuguese became the first coach in 14 years to lose a match against the team’s cross-city rivals.

A punished Pepe was left out, while a sad Casillas watched on from the bench. Chaos ensued as Madrid lost their heads and even Ronaldo was sent off for kicking out at Gabi. And Mourinho was unable to find dignity in defeat as he bemoaned bad luck, claimed Atletico had been fortunate, refused to pick up his loser’s medal from the King of Spain and abused the referee before leaving under a cloud.

It was a cloud that could never be lifted and Florentino, himself jeered by a section of Madrid fans in the aftermath of the damaging defeat, knew he had to act.

The timing was shrouded in significance because Monday was also Casillas’ birthday. And for the Madrid captain, Mourinho’s exit represents the best possible present.

For Florentino, a man who has made his millions in construction, it is time to build again. And although Mourinho’s sides traditionally struggle when he moves on (as seen at Porto, Chelsea and Inter), Madrid’s solid base means the club can have reason to believe in a successful season under their new coach (likely to be Carlo Ancelotti) next term.

Some players will move on, but Mourinho’s move will allow old wounds to heal, while Casillas can be quickly restored to his rightful place in the Madrid goal. In defence, Sergio Ramos and Raphael Varane can be the foundation for a strong side, while promising right-back Dani Carvajal is set to return to the club after a year in the Bundesliga to solve what has been a problem position under the Portuguese. In midfield, Luka Modric looks the part, while Cristiano Ronaldo will be the flagship of the next sporting project and funds are likely to be made available for a new star striker, too.

So the new coach inherits a top team with some of the world’s finest footballers and the chance to make them even better. Proper man-management should solve many of the current problems and with a more elaborate tactical plan to boot (and not just a counter-attacking system), the sky is the limit for this Madrid team. Mourinho had to go and now the club can move onwards and upwards, with much more dignity too. And if they do so, he is unlikely to be missed.
 
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Blancos president Florentino Perez has confirmed the Portuguese coach is set to end his three-year spell in La Liga following a trophy-less season in the capital

Jose Mourinho will leave his role as coach of Real Madrid at the end of the current season, the club have confirmed.

President Florentino Perez revealed at a press conference that the Portuguese’s time in charge at the Bernabeu is coming to an end by mutual agreement once the 2012-13 season has reached a conclusion.

The announcement comes after a disappointing spell saw Madrid knocked out of the Champions League by Borussia Dortmund in the semi-finals and suffer defeat to rivals Atletico Madrid in the Copa del Rey final, while Barcelona celebrated La Liga glory.

“The club and manager believe the time is right to bring our relationship to an end,” said Perez.

“I would like to thank Jose Mourinho for all his hard work over the last three years. The team has improved over his time here and I would like to wish him all the best.

“Everything is relative. From where we have come, we have taken a big step but we were lacking a little extra.

“The achievements of this season have not been sufficient for the demands of a club such as Real Madrid or a coach like Mourinho.

“Every coach has his personality. Has he made mistakes sometimes? Sure. He himself has recognised that, but the level of pressure he is under is not normal. There have also been times when he has passed the limits of what is normal.

“The time is right to go our seperate ways and once again I would like to thank Jose Mourinho for all his hard work.”

Perez admitted the subject of Mourinho’s future has been on the club’s agenda for some time, but insisted a final decision has only been reached now.

The president also stressed there is no agreement in place for his replacement despite suggestions Paris Saint-Germain boss Carlo Ancelotti has already agreed a deal.

“We have come to this decision just now, although its something that has been at the back of our mind for some time,” added Perez.

“We have no pre-contract signed with any manager. This is something we have to look at over the coming days.”

Once the league season has reached its end, the outgoing Mourinho is expected to return to England in the summer and take over at former club Chelsea.

The Spain coach has offered his support to the Real Madrid goalkeeper and insists he remains la Roja’s No.1 in his eyes

Vicente del Bosque says Iker Casillas is doing the right thing by keeping his head down as the row with Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho rumbles on.

The Spain captain, who turns 32 today, was usurped as Madrid’s first-choice keeper for the second half of the season, but Del Bosque believes the player most continue to keep his discipline as reports of dressing-room conflicts continue to surface from Santiago Bernabeu.

“If you asked me a tip for him, I’d tell him to do what he has done: be obedient, disciplined and discreet,” the Spanish boss told reporters at the ‘Football Draft 2013’ event.

Del Bosque went on to assure Casillas that he would remain la Roja‘s skipper for the up-coming Confederations Cup in Brazi.

“He is our captain and we trust him,” he added.

Real Madrid will hold a press conference for 20:00 CET on Monday as rumours of continued dressing-room disharmony, and the future of Jose Mourinho, continue to surface.

Los Blancos appeared to think victory was a foregone conclusion, but there was no cause for celebration in the end

Real Madrid were so confident that they would beat Atletico Madrid in Friday’s Copa del Rey final that they had already arranged a party bus to celebrate – only for the vehicle to remain empty after they were beaten.

The Santiago Bernabeu side missed out on the Champions League and La Liga title earlier this term, yet they were optimistic about their chances of ending the season on a positive note ahead of the clash with their fierce city rivals.

But, Jose Mourinho and his men were dealt a huge blow at the Bernabeu as Atletico emerged victorious after extra time to end their 14-year winless streak against los Blancos (2-1).

The shock-defeat meant Madrid’s planned celebrations were cancelled, with the open-top bus they had arranged returning to the depot without being used.

The bus, decorated with banners reading “Champions 19th Copa del Rey. Thank you Madridistas”, was spotted driving through the streets of the Spanish capital on its way back to the depot, with pictures of the vehicle going viral on various social media networks.

Atletico’s victory sparked wild celebrations in the red and blue half of the city on Saturday, with players joining fans in the streets after a bus tour of their own.