Mourinho: "We feel like we played two very good games"

Mourinho at the press conference after the match

Jose Mourinho spoke to the press to analyse the return leg of the Spanish Super Cup against Barcelona at Camp Nou. The end result was bad but wanted to highlight the good game made by the team in two matches of this competition.

"Real Madrid gave a spectacular performance from the first to the last minute. I just say what I think. We came here to play. What I'm about to say is not a criticism, I'm just stating a fact: there were no ball-boys in the second half, which is something typical of small teams when experiencing difficulties. What happened simply happened, but I'm nevertheless happy with my team".

"We feel like we played two very good games in their entirety. This team is better than it was last year. The longer you work with people, the better the conditions are to have a better year. We played nine games this preseason and proved to be better than we were last year in the last two. I'm happy with the progress my men have made".

"The referee must punish what he deems punishable. Pepe and Marcelo played a great game, one for the entire 90 minutes and the other for 45. Pepe saw a booking for a minor tackle and Marcelo gave a great performance. I'm not going to say we're happy because we didn't win the Spanish Super Cup; that would be hypocritical of me. We intend to play like men and not fall on the ground at the slightest touch".

Mourinho declined to say nothing of his attitude toward Tito Vilanova, Barcelona assistant coach. Mourinho stuck a finger in the eye of Vilanova and the image has not liked in the Real Madrid: "He is the first to know that this image is not good for him or for the club". According to the club, what happened is explained, without wanting to justify what Mourinho did, because: "What it should not be allowed is that Tito Vilanova spends all the match with challenging gestures and insulting us".

Mourinho: UEFA forgives him a match suspension

The Appeals Committee of UEFA has reduced the fine imposed on Mourinho. In the initial penalty, the coach of Real Madrid could not manage the team for four games, with a fifth conditional on Mourinho's behavior during a trial period of three years.

Mourinho and Dupont at Nyon

After hearing the arguments of the Portuguese and the lawyers of the Real Madrid over six hours, UEFA has decided to reduce the penalty from four to three games. As Mourinho has already met one (it was in the semifinal round of the Champions League 2010-2011) in case of good behavior he would be suspended only two. Of course, retains the imposed fine of 50,000 euros to Mourinho and the 20,000 to the white team.

The Control and Disciplinary Committee imposed the penalty on the Real coach for his controversial remarks at the press conference after the first leg semifinal of the Champions League against FC Barcelona on April 27. In that match, Mourinho was sent off for protesting the Pepe's red card and at the press conference complained of arbitration mistakes in favor of FC Barcelona and said he would feel shame winning the Champions League as they won in 2009: "The scandal of Stamford Bridge".

These words were rated as "very serious" by the Control and Disciplinary Committee of UEFA considering that Mourinho inveighed against "the fairness of the competition", so they decided to punish the Portuguese coach: Five games and 50,000 euros fine. As well UEFA punishes the club with 20,000 euros fine for "improper conduct of their fans during the game". Real Madrid announced the same day that UEFA announced the punishment, it would appeal to the Appeals Committee and UEFA summoned the Portuguese and the legal team of Real Madrid for yesterday.

The Portuguese reached the UEFA headquarters at 08:50 am, accompanied by the Belgian lawyer Jean-Louis Dupont, the director of legal services of Real Madrid, Javier Lopez Farre, and a white club's lawyer, Alvaro Garcia Alaman, to support his defense. Mourinho's arguments and their lawyers were heard by the Appeals Committee chairman, Swiss Michel Wuilleret, two members of it, the French Patricia Moyersen and German Goetz Eilers, and the UEFA disciplinary inspector, the Swiss Jean-Samuel Leuba.

After six hours of declaration, white coach and his lawyers left the UEFA headquarters in Nyon without knowing the resolution of the Committee and without making any statement to the press. If Mourinho is not satisfied with the resolution, the white coach can still appeal to TAS (Tribunal Arbitral du Sport) within ten days.

Note: Mourinho is the sports manager of Real Madrid

Real Madrid presented officially its new sports organization in which Jose Mourinho, as well as first team coach, takes over as sports manager in the style of English football. Florentino Perez already told how the would be new Real Madrid's staff organization at the press conference of Jorge Valdano's farewell, until then General Director of Real Madrid.

In the official statement from Real Madrid, is refered a General Director (Jose Angel Sanchez), a department of the Chairman's Office, under the responsibility of Manuel Redondo, and the appointment of Jose Mourinho as manager soccer sports: "The board of Real Madrid CF, gathered yesterday, approved the new organizational structure of the club, which includes as highlights, one General Directorate (Jose Angel Sanchez), a department of the Chairman's Office, under the responsibility of Manuel Redondo, and the appointment of Jose Mourinho as manager of football sports", said the club's official statement.

Mourinho gives two weeks off to Higuain and Di Maria

The elimination of Argentina in the Copa America 2011, will bring two new reinforcements for Mourinho's Real Madrid after the U.S.A tour. Higuain and Di Maria. Mourinho does not take in account Gago (in the press conference after the match against LA Galaxy, he did not talk about the player and is injured for three weeks) and Garay was transferred to Benfica. Portuguese already gave vacation to these players on May 18 and they enjoyed 21 days before the Copa America. Higuain will stay at least a week in Buenos Aires, while Di Maria traveled to Rosario to stay with his family. In principle, both will have two weeks off and will be back on August 1.

The Portuguese coach took yesterday morning for a walk in Beverly Hills. He was shopping at the mall Roberts Plaza for an hour, accompanied solely by a bodyguard of club. Within an hour, leaving one of the stores, he found seven paparazzi, so he had to return to the hotel. All players of Real Madrid were left resting in his hotel, but four homegrown players were also shopping: Nacho, Joselu, Mejia and Jesus.

Peculiar image. Mourinho at Los Angeles

Mourinho: "We have a very good squad"

Jose Mourinho

Jose Mourinho addressed the media after his side's 4-1 victory over LA Galaxy.

"I'm happy. It was a complicated match and we played with a lot of intensity. Winning isn't the most important thing. What matters is that the team gets into shape and I liked its attitude today. We have a very good squad and we used two different lineups today. We have still to use quality men like Di Maria, Higuain and Sahin. We work better each day and we're ready to compete".

"I don't like to talk about individual players. The team played well and gave a balanced performance in both halves of the match. This game was important for Coentrao because it helped in his adaptation. He gave a very good performance and proved his potential. Callejon did well and Varane played a serious game too. It's important for him to show he's fit and that he can row in the same direction as the rest".

"A great team cannot choose which championship it would rather win. We won the Copa del Rey last season, but we know the Champions League and La Liga are important and we will try to win them also. Small details make all the difference between winning and losing titles. Usually the more prepared you are the greater the possibilities. I hope those small details are on our side. We can only promise we will continue to work hard".

"I will try to make academy players play a role in the future of this team because they will be important and useful to us. I believe they could help us considerably".

"Zidane is one of us. He knows perfectly well what a work group is like and he has the capacity to help all of us. I feel comfortable with him and it is important to have him on our side now that we can have so many people on the bench".

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Mourinho plans to change the tactical system

Jose Mourinho has already been put to work in Los Angeles to change his tactical scheme and plans to play many games this season with a 4-3-3 system, hence he is obligated to work with his players, accustomed to 4-2-3-1, according to new movements on the field. The pressure exercises and movements between the lines are different from one system to another.

Mourinho: Preseason 2011-2012

The main task for the Portuguese coach is that the four new players who are in California under his command (Varane, Callejon, Sahin -now injured- and Coentrao) learn concepts that the rest of his teammates have learned since last season, because Mourinho used the 4-3-3 system in several games (against Atletico, Sevilla and Valencia for example).

This metamorphosis is largely due to the arrival of Nuri Sahin. The fact that Xabi Alonso and Khedira are untouchable players for Mourinho, forces to change the scheme and look for a position for the star signing of Real Madrid (for now). The double-pivot Xabi Sahin is weak on defense and keeping the couple of the last year, Real Marid's football would be predictable.

On the other hand, Mourinho is very aware of the new reinforcements even when coaching in California. Real Madrid still working these weeks to complete the template ahead of the season just started. The coach knows the possibility of the signing of Neymar in January and is attentive to the possible incorporation of Emmanuel Adebayor.

Jose Mourinho "I want fans to feel proud of their team"

Jose Mourinho will shortly start his second season at the helm of Real Madrid. The coach gave an exclusive interview to RealmadridTV and Realmadrid.com shortly after the team arrived in Los Angeles to start its preseason work.

Jose Mourinho

What were your holidays like?
Short, but fine. I had 15 relaxing and happy days.

You left for a holiday late, but you look satisfied with the period you stayed in Madrid working.
I enjoyed it because it went by very quickly and I didn’t have a crazy desire for the holidays to finally arrive. It was a great experience to work personally with the President and with Jose Angel Sanchez. I liked the President’s vision for the club and its future. I think the way he thinks about the evolution of his Real Madrid is phenomenal. Jose Angel is a little like me: we work during the day and end up texting each other or writing e-mails till 10 or 11 at night. He never side-tracks from his family life, but he’s thinking about work 24 hours a day. I liked him very much.

This season is important because it comes with the birth of a new structure at Real Madrid.
Every season is important in its own way. This structure is here to help the team, not to complicate things. We have to instill life and dynamism into this structure. We have to give people who are responsible of many departments time to create a functional empathy and a new working method. I’m very glad to see there is great empathy between the people at the club and that they share a common goal to serve the first team and the players, who are the most important thing at the club. This cooperation is the essence of our work.

Zinedine Zidane seems to be much more relevant in this new structure.
I like that he’s working with us and that he personally decided to change his life and be part of this project. He believes in this and thinks he can help. He has a lot to offer, but he has also much to learn. It is one thing to be the best player in the world for many years and another to be Football Director of the First Team at a club as important as Real Madrid. His intelligence, calm nature and the fact that he is completely open to communicate make him a welcome addition to this group, in which everyone is excited to work together.

Are you satisfied with this season’s signings?
It isn’t easy to sign for Real Madrid because we have a very good squad and we earned important results last season. We won a title and nothing else because we didn’t win any more. We decided to improve on, and to balance out, the squad without losing track of having to come up with a team for the future. Coentrao is 23 years old, one year younger than Callejon. Sahin is even younger and Varane is an 18 year old kid. We never want to side-track from building a team for years to come that has large room for improvement and progress. We signed men we thought were important to improve on a squad that was already very good.

Is it the squad you had in mind?
I’m happy with the squad, especially when you think we’re still missing Higuain and Di Maria, who are very important to us. I, like everyone else, believe we need another striker. It’s fantastic to have more than 90% of the team you want by mid-July because it allows you to work in a different manner. Higuain and Di Maria already know the team and won’t need three or four months to adapt. We’re happy because we’re building something to last for a long time. This squad has ten years ahead of it.

It’s important to mention how the squad has increased its value since the start of last season thanks to the performances of men like Ozil, Di Maria and Khedira.
People may talk about the amount of money spent by Real Madrid in this new era of Florentino Perez, but if they compare the investment made with the value of the squad in the market they will realize it’s been fantastic. How much are Di Maria and Ozil worth today? They didn’t even know what great pressure in football was when they arrived. Think of Cristiano also. If Real Madrid wanted to sell him tomorrow (which I obviously wouldn’t want) they would make a profit. This squad has fantastic global market value and I am very satisfied with it.

How will the work be this preseason?
We’re here to work, improve and face other teams. I don’t want to win a preseason match 15-0. I want them all to be difficult. Los Angeles Galaxy are a complicated opponent because they’ve already played 14 or 16 league games this season. The same goes for Chivas Guadalajara and Philadelphia Union. The English, German and Chinese football cultures are different and will also be difficult, but we intend to do our best against our opponents. We did a good job last season, so we won’t start from scratch. We’ve assimilated some aspects of our game perfectly already and we can have a completely different start to last season’s. We want to be stronger by the time we play our first league match this year. We must start the season the way we ended the last, by playing attractive and offensive football.

It is the first time since 1985 that the squad has three goalkeepers from the academy.
There are four right now, which is unique to football. I can’t see any other side having three or four goalkeepers from its academy. They also represent three different generations of players. One of them is the best in the world. Another has been promoted from third keeper to second. Our two youngest goalies train with us now and we will decide which will be our third and which will play for Castilla every week. They can play for our second side while training with the first team. I believe this team’s goal may be kept by academy goalies for years to come.

This is also an important season for Castilla. You proved to count on them last season and you’ve proved it again this preseason.
It isn’t easy because we’ve got two objectives right now. One is the evolution of the players and the other is to get Castilla promoted to the Second Division so that we can organise the team differently. That’s why we still give some players the chance to play in the First Division, such as Juan Carlos, Mateos, Juanfran, Sarabia… They are good enough to play in a better league and playing in the Second Division B wasn’t good for them. People are wrong to think we let these players get away from us. When Real Madrid loans out or sells these players with an option to repurchase them they remain Real Madrid footballers. We can get them back whenever we want. We want them to experience a different championship. On the other hand, we also think Castilla can get promoted and that’s why we’ve kept players of a superior level, like Casado, Joselu, Nacho, Alex, Morata and Carvajal. They will be the core of the team next year and we want to find two or three players who can help coach Toril come up with a Second Division team.

This squad is impressive; it is 24.8 years old on average.
They make us feel younger. We have to adapt to their level. This is good for all of us. It’s positive for all. We have a team that must grow and may at times feel emotional weaknesses due to lack of experience. We have a squad that is potentially very good. I am delighted to work with them because they are motivated, they want to learn and they want to win. The coaching staff is delighted.

Why haven’t you given an interview in such a long time?
It isn’t necessary. So many people talk about me, feature me in their front pages, accuse me of saying things… I don’t need to talk. They do it for me.

Are you already thinking about the Spanish Super Cup?
No. The preseason isn’t there to prepare for the Spanish Super Cup. We will play the championship in the second week of August and that’s when we’ll think about it, despite the fact we’ll have many men with their national teams by then. During these first four or five weeks of training we won’t think of opponents or small competitions. We’ll just focus on preparing our players and coming up with the best team possible.

Isn’t it strange for you to play a match at 11:00 pm?
It will be my first time, but it won’t matter as long as the match is exciting.

One of the main goals this season is to win the Champions League. You will not be able to sit on the bench in the first few games. You’ll have to go to Nyon on the 28th. Have you already prepared your defence?
No, I haven’t. You don’t need to prepare anything when you’re saying the truth. It’s absolutely natural. I must have the right to think justice will be made and that I will be able to sit on the bench. If not, my coaching staff will be there. Real Madrid will be top seeded, something they weren’t in previous years, thanks to the great run we had in the Champions League last season. It allowed us to recover that status.

Who have you missed during the holidays?
I missed Manolin [an equipment manager]. Just looking at him makes me laugh.

You may have also missed your captain, Iker Casillas.
I haven’t had time because I’ve seen him travelling and enjoying his holidays so often. That story about me or Real Madrid wanting someone else to be the captain was very stupid. I understand papers have to sell copies and that they need to lie and lie when there is no football going on, but that sort of lie can be very damaging. He will always be a captain when he starts a game.

Did you speak to someone from the club on a daily basis during the holidays?
I spoke with Jose Angel Sanchez more than once a day.

It’s curious to see how excited you are with the new kits.
I like the gold names and numbers very much. I think our Champions League shirt will be rather new compared to those of previous years. I think this shirt will be very successful.

We’re in Beverly Hills, home to the stars. Which superstar would you like to see on the street?
I’d like to see Al Pacino.

Would you swap your life with that of a movie star’s?
Not even for one day.

Finally, what’s your objective for next season?
I want fans to feel proud of their team. I have a feeling we achieved that last season and I believe we can reach a new level of empathy in the positive relationship that exists between the team and the fans this year.

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Villas-Boas interferes with the signings of Mourinho

Andre Villas-Boas gets in the way of Mourinho. The relationship of the new Chelsea manager with the Real Madrid coach is now cold, non-existent, although Villas-Boas was one of his aides between 2002 and 2009. Perhaps that explains why Andre seems determined to interfere with some of the signings that Mourinho has requested. Villas-Boas takes days working on his project and has already shown his targets to Abramovich, curiously the same of Real Madrid: Neymar, Aguero and Coentrao. And a priority: Ramos.

Chelsea's interest to sign Neymar is not new, but had withdrawn from the bidding ("Mourinho has his man" told a manager to The Sun). However, the arrival of Villas-Boas has reactivated the machinery. Meanwhile, Aguero's statements about his leaving of Atletico has warned the 'Blues'. Yesterday, there was a meeting with Reguera, one of player's agents, who was in Manchester. And finally, Coentrao. His move to Madrid was ready, but Abramovich, guided by his coach, offers 30 million euros and the white club does not reach 25. But the young Portuguese wants to go further and to fish in the Bernabeu Stadium, Sergio Ramos specifically, despite being aware that the right defender has been renewed until 2017.

Jose Mourinho and Andre Villas-Boas

The lives of Mourinho and Andre Villas-Boas are parallel paths (different styles) and initially shared the same teacher, Bobby Robson. But today, they have no relationship and Madrid coach admits no questions about his colleague when granting interviews.

Villas-Boas started on football with the history of the precocious child. His coaching instinct awoke with 16 years. He was a Porto fan and lived in the same build that Bobby Robson so the coach signed him as a scout in practice (94-95). That's when he met Jose Mourinho, who was 30 years and was technical assistant to the British coach.

They returned to coincide seven years later in Porto. In 2002, Villas-Boas joined the Mourinho's core of trust with Rui Faria and Silvino Louro. The word 'team' is etched for Mou. Villas-Boas was responsible for making reports of rivals from 2002 to 2009. Before starting the second year in the Inter, he told to Mourinho: "I ​​want to work in the field with you or I will go". And it was. Mourinho still wondering why he betrayed in that way.

Villas-Boas was introduced yesterday by the Chelsea and he gave a message to Mourinho: "Football is not a 'one man show', is something related to the group, I am the one group".

Note: Mourinho builds a Real Madrid for 10 years

The signing of Varane is the icing on the white 'Baby Boom'. Özil, Khedira, Sahin, Di Maria Canales, Callejon... The average age of the template is 24.6 years. It is the youngest team in the Champions League.

Mourinho has built a young Real Madrid

Real Madrid boasts of having built a team that could face the next decade without a single signing more: "A Real Madrid for 10 years".That's what the Board of Real Madrid thinks, so it could be forget the football market until 2021 and would be competing at the highest level with many of the players that are on today's template.

The incorporation of Varane, 18 years old, ​​is the culmination of a 'Baby Boom' in Real Madrid led by Jose Mourinho. In just one year, the Portuguese coach has formed a template that will war for a long time. Players like Di Maria, Özil, Khedira, Sahin, Callejón, Varane... will lay the foundations of his Real Madrid. Except Altintop and Carvalho, the coach has not signed a single player with more than 23 years. Condition to be met safely the next two signings of white set: Neymar and Coentrao.

Mourinho designs a new Real Madrid

Jose Mourinho continues to revolutionize the Real Madrid. Portuguese coach has spent the last month, since the end of the competition, to transform the internal structure of the club. The department of research of players, the database, scouting and the youth teams are the first to improve.

Mourinho's first day as Real Madrid coach

Mourinho was hired by ten million euros a year to win the Champions League and the League. But also to change the dynamics of the club. To return to the coach the leadership that should never have lost. And the coach has decided to do no matter who falls.

Mourinho's statements after finishing the season "If Real Madrid is sleeping like an elephant, is not strong" are consistent with the speech he held throughout the year, never showed hesitate to report, for example, the shortcomings in the organizational structure of Madrid, a club that hosts more than 300 people on the payroll, 2000 people working on game days and more than 350 players from all sports templates.

Mourinho went on vacation last Wednesday. Since the season ended, a month ago, has worked tirelessly 8:00 am to 7:00 pm, Monday to Friday, halfway between his office in Valdebebas Sports City and Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, side by side with Jose Angel Sanchez, his perfect partner, deciding the ups and downs, but above all, honing what he calls "the basic organization of a football club".

Mourinho Tactical Board

The 'Mourinho Tactical Board', an innovative software developed by a Portuguese company that helps the tactical organization of football teams, has achieved a great success worldwide selling in about 180 countries. A spokesman for Forward Green, the Portuguese company which prompted the application at the request of Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho, has said the software has been sold in countries as different as Russia, China, Japan, Canada, Malaysia and Libya.

Mourinho Tactical Board

One of the officers of the company, Pedro Araujo, considered that the success is due to its simplicity and accessibility for "any coach" and its affordable price (ranging between 9.95 and 39.95 euros). "In Spain it has sold a lot in the area of ​​Madrid and Barcelona", said Araujo, who declined to disclose the names of the teams in the Spanish first division they acquired it.

The 'Mourinho Tactical Board', launched last April, is a network software available for different devices -from PCs to tablets- which stores information in an orderly way in order to meet the tactical and technical needs of a team. Planning practices and games simultaneously, to study the set pieces and analyze the actions of rivals are some of the options provided by this application, that 'buries' the traditional notebook.

Araujo said that Mourinho and his technical team helped to build the program with several suggestions, including the inclusion of the set ball pieces. The success of software has led the company, which only has a dozen employees, on a new feature that includes a notepad and the possibility of making videos sequences in the plays.

Dupont prepares to defend Mourinho

Dupont at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium

The Bosman Case's lawyer, Jean Louis Dupont, was yesterday at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium to start preparing submissions to the Appeals Committee of UEFA for the penalty imposed on Jose Mourinho. Dupont arrived at the stadium around 1:00 pm, worked on the case with the lawyers of the club and left the office at 5:30 pm. "I came to see friends. I do not want to say anything else" he commented to evade questions about the plan of Real Madrid.

The club, after knowing the causes of UEFA's punishment to the coach, on Monday, has a period of 72 hours to present allegations (deadline expires today). If the appeal they prepare does not succeed, they plan to attend to TAS (Tribunal Arbitral du Sport).

It is not the first time that Real Madrid requires the services of Dupont. On May 19 the lawyer advised the club on the case Mourinho and in 2009 worked to present the appeal to the TAS for Huntelaar and Lass (at the end there was no appeal).

Interview: Jose Mourinho

JOSE MOURINHO: "COENTRAO AND AGUERO ARE FANTASTIC PLAYERS"

Jose Mourinho looked at the just concluded season and spoke about the exciting 2011/12 campaign that will start for the Whites on July 11 with the pre-season stage in Los Angeles: "The most important thing is to work on next season. We will be there to fight with passion and love for this club. This year we have more conditions to do not fail, but it is not easy to improve what we did last season. In this campaign, my team has grown and improved in many aspects. It was a good year", commented the Portuguese coach.

Jose Mourinho

Real Madrid coach explained in detail the new organizational model in sporting club: "A good structure does not guarantee success, but a structure that is not good guarantees failure. We have the best conditions to ensure success. I have no more power than before. We must modernize and look for perfection, although it is difficult to achieve. A structure that is not adapted to modern times guarantees failure. Soon the President or the Board will make public our new model of working. There will be an organizational chart with all the functions very well specified. It is necessary that Real Madrid fans know it", he said.

When Mourinho is asked about the special relationship with the people of Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, said: "I fought hard to try to give joy to the fans of Real Madrid, that there are millions and millions. Apart from the serious and dedicated work, there are times I think the club is not being well treated and I have no problem affect my image in defense of the institution to which I dedicate my soul and my heart. The fans are the most important thing".

White coach also spoke of the two reinforcements arriving from the Bundesliga: Nuri Sahin and Altintop: "Sahin was the best player of the German tournament, and has been chosen by players in a league that is growing fast. We followed him for some time. He is a young player, one more in the template as Özil, Di Maria, Marcelo, Benzema ... and all them make us think we are a team with a great future. If financial fair play is applied in the next years, Real Madrid can make a new era in football because it has a very young staff and a great president at the firm level. Altintop is a very versatile player".

At the same time, welcomed the return of the homegrown Callejon and Mateos: "Callejon is a player that we like for his features and attitude. He has to earn a place on the team. Mateos was practically out of Castilla, we saw important qualities and have recovered him. He played six months in the AEK and we like. He will start pre-season with us and then we'll see if he stays or we loan him one year more. In that case, we will loan him to a top team in Spain or a team playing in Europe. He has legs to win", he explained.

On Kaka, the manager argued: "He has not made pre-season for four years either due to physical problems, for the World Cup or Confederations Cup. Our belief is to try he takes the stability of six weeks of preseason with gradual growth. Is an incredible talent and played a good final part of season. We hope that the pre-season can be an important support for his succeed".

Finally, he spoke openly of two of the players who, according to the press, can strengthen the team: "I will not be a hypocrite. Coentrao and Aguero are fantastic players. But belong to other teams and Real Madrid does not contact with players before having agreements with their clubs. In Sahin, Altintop and Callejon, Real Madrid talked first with their clubs".

The other match (4). Mourinho vs Valdano

Jorge Valdano was fired yesterday as general manager of Real Madrid, a position he agreed in 2009, in the second stage of Florentino Perez as president of the club. The news was made official after the meeting of the board and was Florentino himself who informed at 9:24 pm that the club had "terminated its contract with Valdano" due to "dysfunctions" in the sport organization. The club removes the general direction that led Valdano, which is absorbed by the general direction that leads José Ángel Sánchez, with Mourinho as sports chief and spokesman in this area.

Florentino Perez at the press conference

Valdano's firing ends a story that was doomed from the start. On May 31, 2010, in the presentation of the Portuguese as Real Madrid coach, Jorge Valdano began his speech in this way: "Before the presentation I wanted to resolve the prevailing morbidity. During my time as communicator I wrote about the divine and the human, and occasionally talked about Jose Mourinho in an aggressive tone. That was solved three years ago at a meeting, he also responded aggressively and we fix it very quickly. There is no problem".

But there was. Mourinho has never forgotten. In February 2006, Valdano wrote this after a match Barcelona-Chelsea, then coached by Mourinho: "I think the poor state of Stamford Bridge was his plan A. The B was also muddy the press conference accusing Messi doing theater in the Del Horno's send-off. Does it talk bad about Mourinho? Yes. Does it talk bad about football? No. On the contrary, this game is a metaphor for life, the trap is not successful. I like the pose of Mourinho, but that does not mean I believe in his innocence". In 2008, Valdano pointed similar arguments: "Mourinho is a errant soul who does not know what is. Guardiola is different. He symbolizes an idea that some of us advocate (as holy) and others attack (as damn)".

It was not necessary wait long to see that Mourinho had not forgiven. In September, the coach blamed Valdano of not to let him train to Portugal in two qualifying matches for EuroCup. In October, the clash occurred for attending the "Prince of Asturias Awards". In December, Mourinho showed a list of refereeing mistakes and called for more institutional support. At that point, Florentino still supported Valdano: "It is customary at the club not to mention referees; What we had to say, Valdano has said. He is our spokesman and who represents best the club's image".

The disagreements continued, but in March, Florentino was closer to the postulates of Mourinho: "To defend Real Madrid of what is unfair, irregular and arbitrary is also be madridista, and that makes our coach". Mourinho had already raised an ultimatum: "Either Valdano or me".

On May 15, after the match against Villarreal, Valdano denied his out: "I do not abandon. The news that I'm going to leave the team, is false. I will continue next season". Yesterday, he said these words: "I did not miss the truth, I said what I felt. I have not resigned. The club has dispensed with me".

Real Madrid: Mourinho's first year

Sunday was the first of forty-nine days of holidays for the Real Madrid template, which will return to training on July 11. A break after a grueling season (44 wins, 9 draws and 6 defeats in 59 competitive games) marked by the absolute leadership of Jose Mourinho, precisely one of the few who continue to work these days. After the win on Saturday against Almeria (8-1), the Portuguese coach went to the Stadium Bernabeu pitch to thank the warmth of the fans. He pointed his heart and promised more for the future. It was not a gratuitous gesture, because he has always argued that the best of his teams arrives in the second season.

Mourinho does not talk since last April 27 and has no plans to offer a public interview to evaluate the season at the end of this. He seems to have evaporated, but nobody in the club takes a decision without his consent. He has managed to turn the Florentino Perez's Real Madrid in one built to his specifications. After winning the duel with Jorge Valdano, has advanced two signings (Sahin and Altintop) with his unmistakable "stamp". Off the general director, he feels with full powers to govern the future.

Jose Mourinho with the Spanish Cup trophy

Mourinho has plenty reasons to feel indispensable, from the cold numbers (Spanish Cup title, second in the League with 102 goals and semi-finalists of the Champions League) to the remarkable tactics improvement of the team, specialized in fast and aggressive football. Thanks to intense pressure, we can see the Di Maria's attacking waves or the genius details of Özil. All for the greater glory of Cristiano Ronaldo, author of a superhuman figure (40 goals in 34 league games, 52 in all three competitions). Mourinho has managed to bury those lofty concepts of 'style' or 'excellence'. He is not interested to talk about football because he just plays to win.

He has also recovered the talent of Benzema and multiplied the valuation of Marcelo. The team works like a clock, with great confidence in defending and dreadful fury on the counterattack. In his statistics are 14 League wins at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium but there are also surrenders against Sporting and Zaragoza. He won in Milan, London, Bilbao, Valencia, Sevilla and Villarreal (with the League lost in the last three cases). But above all, he has saved his project and looking forward to Real Madrid fans with the Spanish Cup title 18 years later, against the best Barcelona that remind the times.

That April 20 in Mestalla Stadium, was the key day of the white season. Florentino's first title in his last five years as president, meant the best moral boost for fans, tired of the Barcelona's tyranny. People needed a messiah and the coach was raised to the altars. Everyone, from the president to the last member, took the coach's speech, which ranged between illusion and arbitration conspiracies.

Jose Mourinho: UEFA Champions League

Mourinho believed that the only way to stop Barcelona, began at the press conference. Therefore, since September, talked (often with reason) about referees, the schedule or the excessive laxity of the Barclona rivals. He appeared with a list of 13 mistakes of the referee in the match against Sevilla and hinted that Television owners favored the rest of Barcelona. He produced two send-offs in Amsterdam and his conflict with the UEFA reached the zenith on 27 April, with the referee Wolfgang Stark, in the Champions League semifinal. Two penalties and several lawsuits later, the Birdcage seems closed. At least for now.

The other match (3). Mourinho vs Valdano

The controversy between José Mourinho, coach of Real Madrid and Jorge Valdano, general manager, was revived yesterday with strenght after the League match in the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium.

"Mourinho decides when he speaks. There was much noise around him and it is important for him to step to the side and lower the decibel level around" said Jorge Valdano, after the Real Madrid win against Getafe. A match which won his praise "for the seriousness and force of the team because it is difficult to play without targets. The audience was happy".

Valdano vs Mourinho

Minutes later, the spokesman for the coach, Eladio Parames, responded forcefully: "Valdano is the spokesman for the club, but to my knowledge is not the spokesman for Mourinho. He is flatly wrong when he says that Mourinho stepped sideways to lower the noise. Mourinho is prepared to make noise at the right time and will speak unequivocally".

Months ago, José Mourinho demanded that Jorge Valdano departed from the locker room and Valdebebas, and came to ask to the club that the general manager did not to travel with the team. However, in recent months a peace of convenience was held waiting for the end of the season, when Florentino Perez, president of the club, will have to take a position on the conflict. The new confrontation will not help.

UEFA punished Mourinho with five-game suspension

The Control and Disciplinary Committee of UEFA punished Mourinho yesterday with 50,000 euros and five-game suspension. The fifth is subject to an observation period of three years and will only be fulfilled if he comes to be punished.

UEFA believes that Real Madrid coach violated the principles of conduct reflected in Article 5 of the regulations in the first Champions League match against Barcelona and the subsequent press conference. Mourinho already completed one in the second leg of the semifinals at the Camp Nou and as the fifth is conditional, the punishment is reduced to three matches. That means he can not manage in the Champions League until November.

Jose Mourinho

UEFA also punished Pinto, goalkeeper of Barcelona, with three games, which means he can not be in the final of the Champions League against Manchester United at Wembley. Guardiola will be forced to take a substitute of Barcelona B, for this crucial match.

The other sanctioned was Pepe, who received a penalty of one-game suspension. This is an unusual punishment, since the regulation defines the punishment for the "violent game" (as was defined by the referee, Stark, Pepe's action on Alves for which he was send-off) is three-game suspension. It seems a Solomonic decision of the Control and Disciplinary Committee of UEFA. With the punishment of one match, wants to make amends to Pepe without appearing that is re-refereeing the match.

Real Madrid, which has also received a fine of 20,000 euros "for misconduct of its fans", has announced it will appeal the sanction to its coach in the Appeals Committee, which meets on May 16. Real Madrid thinks that the decision continues to suffer from the same defects that contained the initial disciplinary proceedings that made impossible the right to defend its coach, because the specific statements for which that file is opened and for which Mourinho has been sanctioned, were ignored. The press officer of Mourinho, Eladio Parames, also talked about the penalty: "Jose Mourinho does not speak, but he feels bad. He feels like any person who was assaulted in the home, and above, ends prisoner".

UEFA will impose an exemplary punishment to Mourinho

Today, the Control and Disciplinary Committee of UEFA may punish Mourinho with a historical monetary fine and a four Champions League games suspension, which would mean that he could not sit on the bench for Real Madrid in Europe's top competition until next November.

Mourinho is accused of violating the Article 5 of the Disciplinary Regulation, on the Principles of Conduct, which stipulates that "member associations, as players, managers and members of a club, should act according to the principles of loyalty, integrity and sportsmanship". All of them, according to UEFA sources, were not respected by the coach of Real Madrid during the first match of the Champions League semifinal against Barcelona and in the press conference after the meeting.

Jose Mourinho and Wolfgang Stark

Members of the Disciplinary Committee have already exchanged documents and opinions, have formed an idea and today will shape their conclusions at the meeting in Nyon (Switzerland). Probably, Mourinho will be punished with one match suspension, by the send-off he suffered in the Bernabéu Stadium (already completed in the second game), another for violating the "parole" when caused the second yellow card for Sergio Ramos and Xabi Alonso against Ajax this season, another for his remarks about referees, UEFA and Villar, and one more for a repeat offender. It is even possible that this battery of suspensions will join two other matches of sanction by the gestures he made after the match at Camp Nou in reference to arbitration by De Bleeckere.

In UEFA do not forget that Mourinho had already been banned for two matches in March 2005 for his accusations against the referee Frisk and misconduct in a game against Barcelona, also in the Champions League. This time, Mourinho said he saw the coach of Barcelona, Rijkaard, entering the referee's dressing room at halftime, and therefore decided not to attend the press conference and disallow his players to speak after the game. Frisk and Rijkaard denied the alleged encounter. Swedish referee retired after that episode after reporting death threats from Chelsea fans.

Therefore, the Control and Disciplinary Committee of UEFA believes that Mourinho is a repeat offender in his criticism of referees. Its president, Thomas Partl, has also instructed the press officers of the UEFA in the Champions League matches against Barcelona, a full report on the statements of the coaches and players from both teams after two games. They also have the sanctions applied in past time to the coaches for serious criticism about the fairness of the referees. One of the last, a three games suspension applied by FIFA, for former France coach Domenech, for saying in "Le Parisien" that he had seen "a bought referee" in a match Italy-France (Under-21).

In view of this possible sanction that UEFA will impose Mourinho, the coach will defend in the courts. According to Spanish media, Real Madrid coach will revert to the International Tribunal of Arbitration for Sport (TAS) and whether the decision of this organization was not favorable, he would revert to the ordinary courts of Switzerland. Finally, if the punishment is less than four matches suspension, the Portuguese coach would accept it.

Champions League (Semifinals, 1st Leg): Mourinho

MOURINHO: "GUARDIOLA? I WOULD BE EMBARRASSED TO WIN LIKE HIM"

Jose Mourinho was visibly angry

Jose Mourinho was visibly angry after his team's defeat against Barcelona and started ...

"Why does this happen? Barcelona are a fantastic team. I don't understand why Pepe was sent off. It paved the way for Barcelona to finish the tie".

What did you say to the referee to be expelled?
"I said nothing to the referee. I just laughed and applauded his decision without saying anything. I'd rather say no more because if I tell him and UEFA what I really think my career would end here and now. Since I cannot say it, I'll ask a question: Why? Why Ovrebo? Why Bussaca? We are talking about an absolutely fantastic football team. Why couldn't Chelsea reach the final two years ago? It was a miracle that Inter reached the final last year. Why kill a tie that could end 0-0 after three hours? I don't understand why".

Is Real Madrid eliminated from the Champions League?
"If it's already difficult to make a comeback on purely sporting grounds, it is absolutely impossible when our opponent is helped in this manner. It seems they must reach the final. I don't understand why such a fantastic team needs this. Football is a sport in which the same rules apply to all; then the best team wins. We will showcase pride and respect for our world of football in Barcelona. We will travel without Pepe, who did nothing wrong. We will travel without Ramos, who did nothing wrong. The coach won't even be able to sit on the bench and the aggregate score is against us. The system will kill us once more if we happen to score a goal and open up the tie".

The approach of the game against Barcelona...
"Our scheme had different stages for different moments in the game. We had to play together and then use a centre forward. Then I would use a number '10' behind the two forwards. It is the scheme for a 0-0 game, trying to capitalise on the frustration of our opponent. But the referee didn't let us unfold our plan. Barcelona's power should have been simply of a football nature. They have that power. Why use more?".

Have the statements of the two coaches influenced the referee?
No. I do not think that the atmosphere was very warm. I commented the words from Josep Guardiola. I have the freedom to do because they were statements. He has responded with a little politics and I do not like. The referee would have to make a normal game, but has not done. When he did not whistle the penalty on Lyon, I thought he did not see it. Maybe he did not want we got to the quarterfinals and it was agreed. I do not know. The referee has been incredible.

Guardiola said he gave you the Champions of the press room. What is your opinion?
No, I won two Champions and I won it on the field with two teams that were not Barcelona. Porto, a country that does not usually win the Champions League, and Inter after 50 years whitout win the title. We won sweating, struggling. Guardiola is a football coach and has won a Champions League that I would be embarrassed, because he won with the scandal at Stamford Bridge. And if he wins this year will be with the scandal at the Bernabeu. I respect him and wish that one day he could win a Champions League only with football. I wish that one day he could win a clean Champions, without scandals.

Mourinho vs Guardiola: The war has begun

Jose Mourinho came with the speech well prepared and well structured to the press room at the Santiago Bernabeu: set out the facts, arguments and obtained conclusions in a crowded press room. The setting and Mourinho's tone promised and did not disappoint. The argument, the famous words of Pep Guardiola on the goal, clear offside, in the Spanish Cup Final.

Guardiola vs Mourinho

But the script of the Portuguese coach had never included an ironic tone so critical against the coach of Barcelona. Following the hearing of the Real Madrid coach, was generated a huge buzz to see the reply of Guardiola. Pep did not disappoint anyone. Accepted the challenge and talked about Mourinho as had ever done. Yesterday people saw the true Guardiola. That visceral person who has his temper and a lot to say when is harassed.

Chronological order. At 2:45 pm hours appeared Mourinho with Marcelo at a crowded press room. The appearance lasted over half an hour in front of media, but the great part of time was captured by the coach, who attacked Guardiola very start of the press conference: "With the words of Pep, we enter a new era. So far, there were two groups of coaches. A small group where coaches do not talk about referees and a large one in which I am, where we are critical when mistakes are important because we are people do not control frustration. Now we have a third group which has only one person, Guardiola, who criticizes the referees when they are right. I had never seen that in the world of football", he said.

Real Madrid coach remembered and ironically recalled the time in which he was training at Chelsea and Inter Milan was adversely affected by arbitration decisions: "His message has depth. For me it is a consequence of one thing, that in his first season as coach he lived the scandal of Stamford Bridge and from that time are not happy with the success of the referees. Last year Barcelona played against Inter over an hour with one more and this year in the Spanish Cup, he criticizes a fantastic and correct decision of a referee", he said. Mourinho did not stop there, also said that "This year Barcelona was almost eliminated against Arsenal and we all saw what happened".

Five hours and fifteen minutes later, at 8:00 pm Guardiola appeared in a press room so crowded like Mourinho's, without any player, because Javier Mascherano had talked to the press an hour and a half before. He wasted no time: "We will face in the field. He has won out of the field. I give his this particular Champions. He has won all season. I will not go out with comparative grievances because we would never end. I have no secretaries or people that point me. In this room, he is the fucking boss, the fucking lord. And I will not compete", he said.

Barcelona coach continued his broadside against Mourinho and also recalled that "He knows me and I know him. We were four years together. If he wants, he can pay more attention to the press full of Florentino's friends and the dairy that our friendship. Let him do as he pleases". He also had words to Sergio Ramos, who on Monday was expressed in the same line as Mou and criticized him for his statements about the refereeing team in the Spanish Cup final: "I have seen the words did not come out of him, The words were goated on him". However, before concluding, he returned to attack the Portuguese. "He won the game out of the pitch.There he is a phenomenon. I do not know how to play this game. He is always casting doubt on every issue. We come to compete", Guardiola commented.