'Mourinho felt betrayed by Pepe criticism'

Ex-Atletico Madrid star Paulo Futre believes that the Blancos coach was not amused with his compatriot’s comments and thinks that Iker Casillas was dropped for tactical reasons

Former Portugal international Paulo Futre believes that his friend Jose Mourinho will have felt betrayed by Pepe after the centre-back publicly criticised the Real Madrid coach’s treatment of Iker Casillas.

Pepe recently suggested that Mourinho of showed a lack of respect toward the Madrid goalkeeper, prompting the Portuguese coach to swiftly hit back at the defender and urge him to focus on his own problems instead.

Mourinho has always defended him and didn’t expect that from him in return. I think that’s how he would have felt,” Futre was quoted as saying by Marca.

“He gives everything for his players. Pepe was one of his favourites and he might have felt betrayed by his comments.”

The former Atletico Madrid winger then went on to discuss Casillas’ situation at Madrid and believes the shot-stopper remains behind Diego Lopez in the pecking order for tactical reasons.

“With regard to Casillas, it’s the coach’s decision and there’s no need to speculate. We don’t know what the real problem is and should be speaking about Iker’s proven ability.

“I believe it’s a tactical matter, but only the coach can answer the question.”

Mourinho recently revealed that he had dropped Casillas in favour of Lopez as he likes the latter’s goalkeeping style more.

Michel bewildered by Mourinho-Casillas feud

The pair’s working relationship appears to have completely broken down this season, with the Blancos skipper currently playing serving as goalkeeping understudy to Diego Lopez

Real Madrid legend Michel is bewildered by the current stand-off at the Santiago Bernabeu between coach Jose Mourinho and captain Iker Casillas, claiming that such a situation would never have been allowed to come to pass at any other top club in Europe.

Mourinho’s relationship with the goalkeeper appears to have broken down this season, with the latter is currently kicking his heels on the Blancos bench having failed to regain his place in the starting line-up from Diego Lopez after a two-month spell out injured.

Michel is quick to concede that Lopez is a fine shot-stopper in his own right but is aghast that relations between coach and captain have imploded to such an extent.

“It would be impossible to see this case elsewhere,” the current Olympiakos boss is quoted as saying by Marca. “What is happening with Casillas would not be possible at Manchester City, AC Milan or Juventus.

“I cannot see [Juventus captain and goalkeeper Gianluigi] Buffon going through what is happening to Iker. Diego Lopez is outstanding, but I am talking about other things: controversies have been created outside of the game.”

Meanwhile, Michel also expressed his disappointment over the fact that no Spanish coaches are being put forward as a possible replacement for Mourinho, who is expected to part company with Madrid this summer.

“We have a habit of wanting the coach that does us most harm,” he mused. “Before the Champions League [semi-final] tie with Borussia [Dortmund], nobody was talking about [BVB coach Jurgen] Klopp.

“In Spain, we would not allow a former footballer like [Roberto] Mancini, who had just retired from the game, to train the top teams.

“We are extremely kind to the people from outside but we do not allow those at home to rise up. We have also seen what [Sir Alex] Ferguson has done [at Manchester United] but that is unthinkable in Spain.”

Michel, who was capped 66 times by Spain, has previously coached the Real Madrid B team.

Kaka & Ronaldinho left out of Brazil squad for Confederations Cup

The pair are just two of several big-name casualties, with Alexandre Pato, Ganso, Ramires and Rafael also having been omitted from Luiz Scolari’s 23-man panel

Former Ballon d’Or winners Kaka and Ronaldinho have both been left out of the Brazil squad for this summer’s Confederations Cup.

The Real Madrid midfielder and Atletico Mineiro attacker are among a long list of Luiz Felipe Scolari’s culled casualties. Corinthians striker Alexandre Pato, Sao Paulo playmaker Ganso and Manchester United full-back Rafael have also been omitted from the Selecao’s 23-strong squad for the tournament.

There is no room for Chelsea’s Ramires but Blues team-mate David Luiz has been called upon, as has relegated QPR goalkeeper Julio Cesar.

Bayern Munich duo Dante and Luiz Gustavo have both been summoned, while Neymar is the star attraction in a stellar attacking quintet that also features Leandro Damiao, Hulk, Lucas Moura and Fred.

Barcelona full-back Dani Alves has a place in Felipao’s squad despite being criticised this year for his form dropping, while Thiago Silva has secured a spot in the home tournament having ledc Paris Saint-Germain to success this season.

Tournament hosts Brazil have been drawn in the same group as Italy, Mexico and Japan and will kick-off the defence of their Confederations Cup crown against the latter of the trio on June 15.

Goalkeepers  
Diego Cavalieri Fluminense
Jefferson Botafogo
Julio Cesar QPR
Defenders  
Dani Alves Barcelona
Filipe Luis Vasco da Gama
Marcelo Real Madrid
Jean Fluminense
David Luiz Chelsea
Dante Bayern Munich
Rever Atletico Mineiro
Thiago Silva Paris Saint-Germain
Midfielders  
Fernando Gremio
Jadson Sao Paulo
Hernanes Lazio
Luiz Gustavo Bayern Munich
Oscar Chelsea
Paulinho Corinthians
Bernard Atletico Mineiro
Attackers  
Fred Fluminense
Hulk Zenit St Petersburg
Lucas Moura Paris Saint-Germain
Neymar Santos
Leandro Damiao Internacional

Higuain is no champion, warns Moggi

The ex-Bianconeri official wants the Turin club to sell Mirko Vucinic and has suggested that Alessandro Diamanti would be a great addition to their strikeforce

Former Juventus director Luciano Moggi has warned his former club against signing Gonzalo Higuain from Real Madrid and suggested that they consider selling Mirko Vucinic.

As Goal recently revealed, the Biaconeri have agreed terms “in principle” with Higuain, with the Argentine currently considering parting company with Real Madrid after six years at the Santiago Bernabeu.

However, Moggi is set against the proposed deal, telling Radio Sportiva: “He’s good player but he has no a champion.”

Moggi also claimed that Juve can do without Vucinic, who has, for the most part, been the one constant in the Bianconeri attack this season.

“They have sold players given [Fernando] Llorente has already [effectively] arrived,” he argued, referring to the Spaniard’s summer move from Athletic Bilbao to Turin. “So they should continue to sell players that have been made redundant, maybe [even] Vucinic.”

Moggi believes that Juve will not have to look too far for replacements, arguing that they should bring in Italy international Alessandro Diamanti from Bologna and teenage sensation Domenico Berardi from Sassuolo.

“Diamanti has proven himself to be a player who decides games,” he enthused. “And also that he has the right DNA for Juve: he is a warrior.

“Obviously there is a need for a more competitive squad because the current players have been overworked.

“A publicly-listed football clubs must do be prudent, to comply with budgetary constraints and create value. But maybe [they should] take a young player like Berardi, just as they did with [midfielder Paul] Pogba.”

Moggi would also welcome the return of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, with whom he enjoyed an excellent working relationship.

“Zlatan is the greatest guy in the world,” he enthused. “He never had a problem with me, partly because there was a very clear relationship between employer and employee.

“He’s a businesslike person. He adapts to the will of the employer on the assumption that they know how to handle things.”

Moggi parted company with Juventus in 2006 because of his involvement in the ‘Calciopoli‘ scandal.

'He is not God, but almost' – Hazard keen for a Mourinho return to Chelsea

The Blues midfielder admits he would love to see the Portuguese at Stamford Bridge next season, describing the Real Madrid boss as the “best coach in the world”

Chelsea midfielder Eden Hazard says he would love to work under Jose Mourinho at Stamford Bridge next season.

Real Madrid have started to plan for life with after Mourinho with an approach for Paris Saint-Germain head coach Carlo Ancelotti, adding further fuel to the speculation that the Portuguese will take over the reins from Rafa Benitez next season.

Goal exclusively revealed earlier in May that Mourinho has agreed a return to Chelsea, but hopes to bring Radamel Falcao with him took a hit on Monday following reports that Monaco were close to sealing the striker’s signature.

“I would like [Mourinho] to come here,” Hazard told L’Equipe. “Mourinho is the best coach in the world.

“Everyone is talking about him here. He is not God, but almost. The fans and the players love him. I wait and see.

“First I am thinking of finishing the season, then going for a holiday. I will get any news in the press.”

The 22-year-old is a doubt for Chelsea’s Europa League final against Benfica on Wednesday, but has flown out to Amsterdam in the hope of passing a late fitness test.