Real Madrid News

Former Real Madrid forward Alfredo Di Stefano is of the opinion that everybody should support coach Jose Mourinho during the difficult times the club is enduring.

The Liga title holders are currently in third place in La Liga, already 16 points behind leaders Barcelona, and have a tough task at hand as they face Manchester United in the round of 16 of the Champions League.

Real Madrid recently succumbed to a 3-2 defeat to Malaga in a game in which captain Iker Casillas was relegated to the bench. In addition, there have been rumours that star striker Cristiano Ronaldo could be contemplating an exit from the club.

Di Stefano called for support for Mourinho, and reaffirmed his belief that los Blancos are capable of fighting for titles.

“Mourinho is doing a difficult job and you have to support him. Especially as there is still so much to be achieved this season,” the 86-year-old told Marca.

“We still have to fight for titles and I am confident that we can win the Champions League.”

Real Madrid resume La Liga action on January 6, when they meet Real Sociedad at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Real Madrid assistant coach Aitor Karanka has revealed that Jose Mourinho has not told goalkeeper Iker Casillas why he was dropped from the starting XI against Malaga.

The captain was snubbed in favour of understudy Antonio Adan for the clash against the Andalusians, who eventually emerged winners after a battling performance in a 3-2 victory.

Karanka believes Mourinho does not owe anyone an explanation for his actions, and insisted that the Portuguese’s decisions should not be questioned.

“Mourinho doesn’t have to justify why a player plays or not. But he knows which players need explanations more than others,” the 39-year-old was quoted as saying by Marca.

“Iker wasn’t given any explanation about why he was dropped. As a coach, you pick whoever you think is going to do the best job.”

Karanka also took time to explain why he regularly replaces Mourinho in press conferences, reminding the public of the Portuguese’s cold relationship with Spanish journalists.

“A while ago he told me I would have to face the media regularly. This is because he doesn’t have a good relationship with journalists.”

Carlos Secretario has backed claims made by Real Madrid defender Pepe that Portuguese players and coaches often receive unfair treatment in Spain.

The Blancos defender suggested recently that he has often felt under pressure when playing in La Liga as a result of his nationality, and the former right-back has added his support to the comments.

Secretario told Antena 1:”For the short time I was at Real Madrid I know that when things go well, everyone is well treated, but when they go wrong, as a rule, it’s the foreigners who pay.”

The former Porto player also pointed to the treatment of compatriot Jose Mourinho, who has consistently drawn criticism from some quarters since taking charge at Santiago Bernabeu in 2010.

“The Spanish are very nationalistic. They demand a lot from the coach simply because he is Portuguese. And Mourinho, by his nature, is widely disliked,” Secretario added.

However, Miguel Cardenal, president of the Spanish Sports Council (CSD) insists that Portuguese players and coaches are widely respected within the country due to their impact upon the Spanish game.

“You have to convince him that he [Pepe] is not right, that we have great affection here for the people of Portugal, and that the Portuguese have contributed hugely to our football … [There are] wonderful Portuguese players, coaches, who have given much to the Spanish game,” Cardenal told Radio Marca.

“You have to find out what Pepe did to feel this way, to let him see the opposite: that he is loved here, that the fans of his team have backed him even during difficult times.”

Guangzhou Evergrande coach Marcello Lippi has quashed reports that he is being lined up to replace Jose Mourinho at Real Madrid next month, despite the club’s director of football, Zinedine Zidane, saying he is the right man for the job.

With Mourinho’s side struggling in La Liga, the former Juventus boss has been one of several names in the frame to be the next Los Blancos boss.

But the Italian, who recently led Evergrande to the Chinese Super League title after joining in May, says he is content at the club.

“Joining Real Madrid at [Zinedine] Zidane’s advice? It’s not true,” he told Italian radio station Kiss Kiss. “Not that I dislike being linked with a big club like Real, but there is nothing concrete.”

The 64-year-old, who led Italy to a World Cup win in 2006, is currently coaching outside of his native country for the first time in his career, and seems intent on continuing the good work he has started in China.

He added: “I read what was said about [president] Florentino Perez and Zidane in the papers, but I have two more years of contract in Guangzhou and I feel good there from all points of view. It hasn’t happened yet, but if there was a call, I’m still under contract.”

With Madrid in third place, 16 points behind leaders Barcelona and seven points behind second-placed Atletico Madrid, speculation is rife over who could replace ‘The Special One’ despite no decision being made on his future.

Germany coach Joachim Low is one of the bookmakers’ favourites, while Arsenal’s Arsene Wenger has also been linked with the post.