Jose Mourinho will probably quit as Real Madrid manager at the end of the season

Mourinho heads into El Clasico with BCN facing mounting criticism from both Real Madrid’s supporters and senior players, and amid claims his spell as Real Madrid manager will not last beyond the summer.

Mourinho’s team are five points clear of Barcelona at the top of the Spanish La Liga, but his position has been undermined by publication of a training-ground argument between the manager and two of his senior players, defender Sergio Ramos and goalkeeper Iker Casillas.

The exchange was carried in full by Madrid-based newspaper Marca, which usually serves a cheerleader for the club. Mourinho has not questioned the accuracy of the report, which portrayed him as tetchy and even paranoid.

Towards the end of Sunday’s 4-1 win over Athletic Bilbao, some Madrid fans chanted Mourinho’s name, as if to indicate their continued support for him despite the report. However, a larger section of the Bernabéu crowd responded by whistling, sending a clear signal that they are unhappy with the former London blues manager.

After the game, a leading Spanish journalist, Siro López of AS, told television viewers Mourinho had decided to leave Madrid at the end of the season. López said his source was one of Jose’s closest allies.

The training-ground exchange occurred after Madrid’s 2-1 defeat at home by Barcelona in the Spanish Cup, after which Mourinho was widely criticised for his side’s negative tactics. They go to the Nou Camp needing to win the second match.

Mourinho claimed Sergio Ramos had given a disloyal interview to journalists immediately after the first leg. “You killed me in the mixed zone,” Mourinho is reported to have said.

According to Marca, Mourinho then claimed that the media gives Spanish internationals such as Ramos and Casillas preferential treatment, while Mourinho has to defend his team from the sternest criticism.

“As you Spanish are world champions, your friends in the press protect you ... like the goalkeeper,” he said. Casillas overheard and shouted: “Boss, here we say things to our faces.”

Mourinho then became embroiled in an exchange with Ramos over the failure to mark Carlos Puyol for one of Barcelona’s goals.

Ramos had the final word with a devastating reference to Mourinho’s modest playing career.

“Depending on the match situation, sometimes it’s necessary to change the marking,” he said. “And as you have never been a [professional] player, you wouldn’t know that this is sometimes necessary.”

Ramos, though, denied that the exchange revealed divisions within the squad. “Whoever says the changing room is divided or that some kind of fracture exists is lying,” he tweeted yesterday. “This is a great group that is well united, regardless what is said.”

Mourinho has also been criticised for the behaviour of defender Pepe, who provoked outrage in Spain by feigning injury during the game against Barcelona before appearing to stamp on Leo Messi's hand without sanction. The Spanish ruling body said yesterday that it will take no action against Pepe after studying the incident. Pepe insisted it was accidental.

Publicly, Mourinho insisted that he would win over the fans who barracked him.

“I’m not bothered by the whistles at me,’ he said after the win over Bilbao. “It’s not a problem.

“It’s the first time it’s ever happened to me. There’s a first time for practically everything.

“Zidane was whistled at here. Ronaldo has been ­whistled at here. Cristiano, who is the latest Golden Boot winner, has also been whistled at. Why can’t I?

“Zidane responded with his football, the same as Ronaldo and Cristiano.

“I work hard to be able to respond like they did some day, but there may come a day when the fans are sad.”

According to Marca, this was said in the Bernebeiu dressing room:

MOURINHO: You [plural] killed me in the mixed zone.

RAMOS: No, mister, you only read what it says in the papers, not everything we said.

MOURINHO: Sure, because you Spaniards have been world champions and your friends in the media protect you and because the goalkeeper...

IKER CASILLAS: Eh, Señor, round here you say things to our faces.

MOURINHO: Where were you on the first goal [against Barcelona], Sergio?

RAMOS: Marking Piqué.

MOURINHO: Well, you should have been marking Puyol.

RAMOS: Yes, but they were blocking us off with Piqué and we decided to change the marking.

MOURINHO: What? So now you’re playing at being coach?

RAMOS: No, but depending on the situation in the game, sometimes you have to change the marking. Because you’ve never been a player, you don’t know that sometimes happens.

Source: Marca

Real Madrdi - Malaga 3:1 (copa del rey, first leg)

Jose Mourinho priznao je da je bio nezadovoljan igrom svih svojih fudbalera u prvom poluvremenu dvoboja protiv Malage u španjolskom Copa Del Rey.

Real Madrid je na svom terenu pobijedio Malagu sa 3:2 u prvoj utakmici osmine finala, ali je do 68. minute gubio 0:2. Golovima Khedire, Higuaina i Benzeme "kraljevski klub" je ipak preokrenuo rezultat i mirnije može čekati uzvrat 10. siječnja, ipak, Mourinho nakon sve nije mogao biti previše zadovoljan.

"Rekao sam svojim igračima na poluvremenu da bih zamijenio svu jedanaestoricu da mogu. Napravio sam tri zamjene kako bi ekipa počela igrati drugačije. Razmišljao sam da to napravim čak i prije poluvremena, ali ne volim to raditi. Trojica koju sam izvadio na poluvremenu nisu bili ništa lošiji od ostalih, ali više izmjena nisam mogao napraviti" rekao je portugalski mag na konferenciji za novinare nakon utakmice.

"U nastavku se promijenio ritam, ali i koncentracija mojih igrača. Ako smo mogli igrati tako u drugom poluvremenu, zašto nismo i u prvom? Na kraju se ipak računa rezultat nakon dvije utakmice. Važno je proći dalje", dodao je Jose Mourinho.

Portugalac je istako da se neki od njegovih igrača nisu vratili u dobrom stanju nakon božićne stanke.

"Neki igrači doživljavaju praznike kao vrijeme za odmor, dok drugi putuju i ne prestaju jesti i piti", rekao je Mourinho, bez spominjanja imena problematichnih igracha.

Penalty decision against Getafe was incorrect, but Cristiano Ronaldo is not a diver

Jose Mourinho has admitted that the penalty awarded to Cristiano Ronaldo during the club's 4-2 victory over Getafe was an incorrect call.

Real Madrid earned a vital second-half penalty through Ronaldo's tumble in the box after being challenged by the getafe defence. However, his coach has leapt to the player's defense, claiming that he does not dive like some of his more guilty fellow players.

"It was not a penalty, but Cristiano does not dive unlike some players," said Mourinho, whose reference could arguably be looked at as a cryptic message to Barcelona's Lionel Messi's attempt to fool the referee against Real Sociedad earlier Saturday.

Despite the debate surrounding the penalty decision, Mourinho did not forget to credit the opposition, which forced Madrid to work extremely hard for the three points.

"They played very well and we did not. After the penalty, we were better and I think we deserved to win," he said.

Real Madrid's victory puts them on the top od the Primera following Barcelona's 2-2 draw at San Sebastian.

Mourinho almost stabbed on the airport

Mourinho's personal bodyguard was wounded as the madman lashed out with the sharp object.

Jose Mourinho, was rushed away by his security team at the A Coruna airport, in north west Spain, last Friday. 

Spanish media said the security guard, called Eduardo, only realised had been stabbed when he boarded the team bus with the Real Madrid coach.

He thought he had been punched until he saw the blood pouring from the wound.

Real Madrid security chiefs believe the attacker meant to harm Mourinho.

The bodyguard was treated for a 4cm wound.

Mourinho was only told about the incident yesterday, Spanish media said.

Newspaper El Periodico said: "Mourinho stopped to sign autographs in arrivals, where a large number of Madrid fans were waiting for the team.

"The bodyguard was near the manager and noticed he had been stabbed in the armpit.

"The security guard realised he had a 4cm wound caused by a sharp object.

"Mourinho was very worried by the incident."

Security cameras recorded the drama and the attacker, said to be a tall man, has been identified.

Mourinho on Cristiano Ronaldo

Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho has insisted star player Cristiano Ronaldo is “untouchable” and that there is no harder working player than the Portuguese.

CR7 has came under heavy criticism this season for his lack of finesse in front of goal, with los Blancos stumbling to 0-0 draws versus Mallorca and Levante so far in their league campaign.

However, speaking to journalist’s yesterday evening, the Portuguese coach defended his player, saying: “There are players who are untouchable. Cristiano is untouchable because he works as hard as anyone. In this time when we are trying to construct a team, there are fundamental principles, and he represents them all.

“The first is greed, the second and the third solidarity and discipline. Cristiano has all of these attributes. I am lucky that many players in the squad represent these, because if not, we would be dead.”

Mourinho also looked forward to facing Deportivo at the Santiago Bernabeu, adding: “The match on Sunday will be difficult for our players. Deportivo are not inferior to the teams who have seven or 10 points. Sooner or later they will start to rise up the league. It will be difficult to get the three points.”

Jose Mourinho: Real Madrid are still a team "under construction"

Coach Jose Mourinho insists that Real Madrid are still a team "under construction" and has asked the fans not to get carried away despite the 6-1 hammering of Deportivo La Coruna at the Bernabeu on Sunday evening in the Spanish Primera Division.

Los Blancos recorded their most impressive win under Mourinho to-date and are now up to third in the league standings, ahead of archrivals Barcelona, who are fourth.

However, the Portuguese believes that they still need to improve themselves and in his post-match press conference urged the Madridistas not to read too much into this win.

"We are not the best team in the world yet for having beaten Depor 6-1," Mourinho is quoted as saying by Eurosport. "We are under construction and neither the result nor the applause of the fans makes me think our work is done. "The work continues. I am very calm. We have a lot to do and a lot of work. I have the confidence of my president and I have the confidence of the board."
When asked whether the 6-1 drubbing of the Galicians at home was the perfect way to answer his critics, Mourinho said, "If you have doubts about a coach who has won what I have then you have to explain what qualities a coach should have to have the right to work in your country.
"You have to tell me if I have to have won three Champions Leagues and seven domestic league titles. I have two Champions Leagues and six domestic league titles. Is that enough to have the right to work here? If so, great. I'll continue with my work."

source: goal.com

"Cristiano's sense of responsibility makes him think only about winning" - Mourinho

Realmadrid.com / Translation by Michael J. O'Donnell

Jose Mourinho gave his key to defeating Barcelona in an interview with AS .

"It is possible to neutralise Barcelona by imposing your own style. In order to defeat them you have to feel no fear and fight them in midfield."

"My Real Madrid will try to win every game and will always take risks. No one should doubt that. My Real Madrid will not be afraid to lose."

"My Chelsea scored more goals than any other team in Premiership history until last year, which saw Chelsea breaking their own record. We also won more consecutive games than anyone else."

"Cristiano Ronaldo's football upringing is British. He respects fair play. He has nothing to prove to me in a game because he shows me what he is capable of during each training session at Valdebebas. More or less goals will never make me doubt his quality because it is unquestionable. He may look too anxious, but I just think he is extremely high spirited during each game."

"Raul is a symbol and living history of Real Madrid. I believe he will return to the Club some day."

source: realmadrid.com

Jose Mourinho Compliments 'Friend' Sir Alex Ferguson For Developing Cristiano Ronaldo

Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho has handed a compliment to his "friend" Sir Alex Ferguson for the work ethic inculcated in Cristiano Ronaldo during his time at Manchester United.

The former Chelsea boss shared a healthy rivalry with the Scot even before he worked in the Premier League, but still considers his Manchester-based counterpart a friend.

The ex-Porto and Inter manager also revealed that the pair had spoken about Ronaldo in the past, and remained impressed with the Portual international's work rate having watched the player during the club's pre-season.

"Jorge Mendes [Mourinho and Ronaldo's agent] works with me and with him and we always talk a lot about Cristiano," Mourinho told AS.

"In addition, there are few coaches that I am friends with and Sir Alex Ferguson is one of them. And I talked to him, too.

"He said that the 'lad' as he called him, had an amazing way of working. After seeing it up close, I think it is impressive for a player with the status he has that no one works harder than him.

"I had very experienced players at Inter, much older, they were examples. [Javier] Zanetti, [Ivan] Cordoba and [Marco] Materazzi showed how it was done.

"Here I have a Cristiano and, by the way he works, it is easy to demand from others what I want in regard to the dedication to work."

Switching to the prospect of bringing in new faces to the club, Mourinho maintained that he is looking add a defender and a forward to his armoury.

"Apart from signing a new defender, I also want to add another forward to the team. A new attacker would be very much welcome. I'd rather have one more forward than being short of options up front," he said.

"I currently have Gonzalo Higuain and Karim Benzema for the striker position, while Cristiano Ronaldo could also play there. However, I prefer to give him a bit more freedom on the pitch. He's too talented to have him up front all the time."

The Portuguese tactician also shed some light on the logic behind the two attacking acquisitions that Real have made this summer.

"Pedro Leon and Angel Di Maria are the type of players we didn't have yet in our squad," said Mourinho.

"Madrid played very much through the centre of the pitch last season because of the absence of wingers. We now have two technically gifted wingers who can only get better over the coming years.

"They really add something to the team."

source: goal.com

The Special One Aiming At A Place In Real Madrid History

Jose Mourinho told a press conference that he aims to go down in the history books of the storied club.

The Portuguese tactician has achieved tremendous success in previous positions at Porto, Chelsea and Inter, winning the Champions League twice, and he is aiming to complete a remarkable hat-trick with los Blancos.

“Real Madrid is a team that generates very high expectations,” he noted. “It is a one-of-a kind and it was named the best team of the 20th Century. I haven't been here very long, but I have already realised what this team is made of and I would like to be a part of the history of Real Madrid.”

Mourinho also spoke of the workload on the players, stating that it has been abnormally high of late.

“In football you must tire in the final minute, not at the very beginning of a match, which is what is happening to us now because of the workload,” he said. “The reason we cancelled one of the training sessions is to allow the players more time to rest.”

Meanwhile, he took time to discuss two of his Galacticos: Kaka, who is out for the first portion of the season due to injury, and Cristiano Ronaldo, who excelled in his first campaign after being made the world’s most expensive player last summer when he moved from Manchester United.

“In reference to Kaka, all that matters is that the operation was a success. There are no more questions about his situation or his recovery. As the leader of a group, I cannot waste time crying over a player. I have other players counting on me. My philosophy doesn't allow me to have any doubts or to cry. I have no doubts regarding the quality of our medical staff. I will not speak about Kaka while he is out.

“Cristiano enjoys the physical workouts and I think he will be pleased that my training methods will make him happy. On the pitch, Cristiano is Cristiano and I am sure he will have a great season playing for me.”

Any potential arrivals at the Santiago Bernabeu before the close of the transfer window must be great players according to Mourinho.

“I have everything I need, so when someone wants to give me a gift, it must be very special,” ‘Mou’ stated. “So if the president and his staff want to give me something, it must be very good. They have a month to think about it and buy it.”

source: goal.com

Jose Mourinho: No Real Madrid Silverware This Season Would Be A Failure

Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho has claimed a trophyless season at the Santiago Bernabeu will be nothing less than a failure.

The former Inter Milan and Chelsea boss admits los Blancos need to get back to winning ways by picking up silverware in his first campaign.

"If we don't win the league or the Champions League [this season], it would be a failure," he told ESPN.

Rivals Barcelona have dominated La Liga in recent years, where Madrid have failed to win the Spanish league since 2007-08.

"Barcelona have a different dynamic right now, a philosophy going back a lot of years, players who have been together for many years and a coach who is approaching his third year," he continued.

"But at Madrid the most veteran player is (Iker) Casillas, who is 29, and the coach has only just arrived."

Mourinho is aware he also faces a tough campaign in Europe, coming up against teams such as Manchester United and former clubs Chelsea and Inter.

"It's the same story in the Champions League," he said. "Manchester United have a coach and a team [that have been together] for many years.

Chelsea have a structure for many years, Barcelona the same and Inter have had a structure for three years.

"They are teams that at the start of the season have a different potential, but we will try to work hard and we will give our all to get there.

"Real Madrid have a history of victories and when the club doesn't win, it's a problem."

source: ESPN

Mourinho on the present Real Madrid squad

In comments reported by Marca, new Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho spoke of the challenges he will face in his tenure at the Santiago Bernabeu and previewed some of his plans for Los Blancos in the coming season.

"I am not an anti-Barcelona plan," said Mourinho. "I am Real Madrid's coach and I am not worried about Barcelona. What is important to me is building a great Madrid. Barca are a great rival in the Champions League and domestically, but I don't want to think of Barca right now. If I am hated in Barcelona, that is not my problem."

Questioned about the composition of the team and asked whether he will try to keep more Spanish players in the team, Mourinho stated that this summer would not see as many changes as last summer.

source: goal.com / marca.es

"A club's identity has nothing to do with nationality. The club's identity is never going to change and the footballing identity is something I will develop with my players. I don't want to speak of players because when Real Madrid's coach speaks about a player, that player's price goes up €10 million more. I am happy with the basic squad from last year and we don't need dramatic changes, just three or four players to make a team with better chances of adapting to an ideal style of play. It will not be a summer to write about new signings at Real Madrid; I think it will be a bit more calm"

Taking a job at Real Madrid is one of the most high-stakes positions in football, yet Mourinho was unperturbed by the challenges that lie ahead. "I don't feel a different kind of pressure being at Real Madrid," assured the genius.

When asked about his play being too defensive, Mourinho sought to dispel the media smear campaign calling his style closed and un-entertaining. "I have played in a UEFA Cup final and two Champions League finals. We won all three and scored eight goals in the finals. When one repeats a lie, for intelligent people it remains a lie. For the rest, it becomes a truth. It's one thing how one organizes a team and a defensive scheme is another thing altogether. When a team is organised it defends well - all players are involved in attack and defense."

Asked about his role in creating controversy, Mourinho plead not guilty. "I am not a provocateur, I am a worker and I want respect. If we have respect, perfect. If not, I will defend my group without any problem."

On his philosophy for a team, he stressed: "I am a coach who adapts his philosophy to the players he has, trying to get the best out of my players. Normally, players feel valued again after their work with me. A team needs to have an equilibrium. One needs to work with and without the ball, be strong offensively and defensively, have psychological balance, and win matches. Winning matches is very important because it makes one psychologically stronger and more confident, without which it is impossible to win titles."

Mourinho was then asked about the future of club captain Raul: "I don't want to say anything about Raul because I have not yet spoken with the club. I arrived today and I have not yet done anything for Real Madrid and am not yet in the club's history. Raul is and I need to respect that. For that reason, and I need to be honest, I cannot treat him like any other player."

Asked about his personal relationship with his players, Mourinho spoke of the close bond he enjoys having between player and coach. "Football is more than a tactic or a training session. Football is played with a group of men who work together and form a family. The club is our second family. To achieve this, we need to have a lot of empathy and after that they are my players forever."

"I continue to speak with players I had at Porto and Chelsea and I speak of my players as if they were still my players. This relationship is what I want to use to bring stability to the players at Real Madrid. Sometimes I miss some of my ex-players and we have a lot of memories. I have players that have said: 'If you leave, I stop playing'."

On his top priorities at Real Madrid, Mourinho highlighted the Champions League. "The most important thing is to win the European Cup. I cannot promise that we will go far in the Champions League; football is football. What I can promise is that while Real Madrid may not finish at the top of the group, in the knockout phase lottery it will not be us that will be scared but rather our rivals who will be nervous about playing Real Madrid.

"We will play against Inter, Chelsea, or Bayern but I do not want fear in my dressing room, but rather in the opposing dressing room. Madrid has an incredibly negative history in the Champions League in recent years but now we start at zero. We will take it match by match without obsession and I like dreaming of the final at Wembley. Pressure is a factor of motivation for me that is not going to complicate my work."

Jose Mourinho : I am here because of this club's outstanding history

New Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho has revealed his excitement about what lies ahead following his first day in the job, insisting he will be a success with los Blancos.

“I am very excited. Real Madrid is the perfect club for me because it is big, very ambitious and has tremendous potential,” Mourinho told the club's official website.

“I am very confident in my abilities and have high self-esteem. I believe everything will turn out for the best and that I will be very successful. I always think positively.”

Mourinho jumped ship following his unprecedented treble with Inter and went on to reveal what urged him to accept president Florentino Perez’s offer.

"I am here because of this club's outstanding history,” he said.

“Fans who go to the Bernabeu always expect the best. During the pre-season they are already thinking about the titles the team will win. Real Madrid's method of thinking is not that different than mine.”

Finally, the ‘Special One’ said he was looking forward to the challenge and that he welcomed the pressure of such a high-profile role.

"I will first put all the pressure on myself to work as hard as I can, to stay motivated and to feel the pressure. I need to have this kind of pressure. If I can be in an environment where I have this kind of pressure, even better.”

source: goal.com

Jose Mourinho in Real Madrid

Inter coach Jose Mourinho has announced he will leave the club after delivering a historic treble by winning the Champions League in Madrid.

"My work here is done. I have made history with this club. I will find motivations in another big club. Playing against Barcelona in Spain? That would be a big challenge," he told the Rai Sport after the game.

Mourinho is leaving Italy in ways he knows best as he takes a parting shot at Calcio.

"I have been very happy at Inter, but not in the world of Italian football because I don't like all the comments from presidents, coaches and papers. But, I will always like Inter," he added.

"I want to thank Italian football because I have become a better coach for it. Now it's time for me to take a day or two to think about a new challenge in another country.

"I have given everything for this team and I feel free to make a decision on my future. I want to become the first coach to win the Champions League with three different clubs. Only Real Madrid are interested in me but I have not signed any contract yet."

And, the country and club couldn't have been clearer, especially after waving a goodbye gesture to the Nerazzurri fans inside the Bernabeu with tears rolling down his eyes.

Asked whether he would be joining Real Madrid he told Sat.1: "Yes."

source: goal.com

Mourinho pre match video statement (skysports)

http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid29318049001?bctid=81573427001

Mourinho on Barcelona - Inter second semifinal match at Camp Nou

Mourinho Statements after the Barcelona - Inter Match 28.04.2010.

I'd have to say right now that this is better than winning the Champions League. Today it was a match in which I couldn't play, because I would have left my blood.

Barcelona expected to win. They have had an incredible surprise at the San Siro. Then we understood they had fear.

When Thiago Motta was sent off, we had to change the scheme again. Obviously to reach the final it was down to who wants it more.

With Chelsea supporters I had empathy, but I have more of this with Inter's. I respect Italian football, but I'm not in love with it. In the difficult moments of the game I felt our supporters were there.

I guarantee that next year I'll be here. I always play against Barcelona, and always something happens. It's nothing new for me. I want to see our supporters welcoming us at the airport.

The refereeing? I don't want to judge. I said before the game that when players help the referee, it can have a positive reaction. When they make things difficult for him then there are problems, and this evening someone tried to complicate his job.

Mourinho on Barcelona ( second leg 28.04.2010 )

BARCELONA, Spain (AFP) - Inter Milan coach Jose Mourinho claims that Barcelona have become carried away with the chance of winning the Champions League at the Bernabeu, the stadium of their arch-rivals Real Madrid.

The Italian side came out on top in the first-leg of the semi-final clash but the Barcelona team are convinced that they can overturn the 3-1 score line at the Nou Camp on Wednesday.

After their win against Xerez in La Liga at the weekend, the players wore t-shirts encouraging fans to back them ahead of the Inter match.

From the start of this season's European campaign the ambition at the Catalan club has been greater than ever to win this tournament with the final in Madrid.

"We have a team of older players, with many over 30, and we hope that we will be able to cope with the atmosphere. It is one thing, though, to follow a dream and it is another to have an obsession. For Barça it is an obsession," said Mourinho, speaking at a packed pre-match press conference.

The Portuguese coach was in typically belligerent mood, refusing to speak in Spanish to journalists and playing on Barcelona's rivalry with Real Madrid.

An indication of the high tensions was that Inter felt the need for a bodyguard to accompany Mourinho.

"A dream is more pure than an obsession, an obsession is more about pride. Barça achieved a dream winning the Champions League in Paris and Rome last year but this time it is more about Madrid and playing at the Santiago Bernabeu, this is an obsession.

"I experienced what it is like here, I have won cups - against Betis in 1997 - at the Bernabeu, where everyone was wrapped in Catalan flags I know what it is about, it is anti-Madridismo. It is an obsession.

"I can't say for me it is a personal dream (to win the Champions League) as I have won it before but I want to win it for Inter as it is more than 40 years since they got to the final.

"If I can help Mr Moratti (the Inter president), if I can help the players and if I can contribute a little bit as coach to achieve this dream then I would be very happy."

Inter will be without the suspended Dejan Stankovic but it appears that Mourinho is ready to gamble on Wesley Sneijder who has a slight thigh strain.

"We will see if he can play for 90 minutes as there is still a small problem. We have other important games in the league but I am ready to risk him as everything will be decided tomorrow," said Mourinho.

"There are 90 minutes still to be played and history is full of comebacks, it is easy to score three quick goals especially for a side like Barça," said Mourinho.

A lot of pressure has been put on the referee ahead of the match with Barca players claiming they were unfairly muscled out of the game at the San Siro. Inter midfielder Thiago Motta turned the attack on the Barca players accusing them of cheating.

"This is a very important match and I suppose they (Barcelona) are doing what they can to win the game but we are relaxed. We will try and play clean football but we are accustomed to seeing Barca players diving and so we hope that the referee does his job well. It is not only Barça that need to worry," he said.

"We know how Inter will play. They will look for space and attack and so we can't give them space. We have to help the referee as well so that it is easier for him."

Jose Mourinho To Replace Sir Alex Ferguson As Manchester United Manager

Sir Alex Ferguson will leave Manchester United after next season and Inter  manager Jose Mourinho will be the one that replaces him.

The Scotland native could end his legendary managerial run at Old Trafford after what would be his 25th season with United.

Ferguson, who will turn 69 in December, took United in November of 1986 and has enjoyed immense success, winning 11 Premier League titles and the Champions League twice during his time with the Red Devils.

With Ferguson set to step down United have already lined up a successor in Mourinho, according to the Daily Star.

The former Chelsea manager led Inter to a Serie A title last year and into the semi-finals of the Champions League so far this year, but the Portuguese has been yearning to return to the Premier League.

Ferguson and his United squad currently sit one point behind Chelsea with four games remaining. Should the Red Devils win another Premier League title this season it would mark Ferguson’s 12th with the club and his 19th trophy overall.

Mourinho continues to boycott pre-match press conferences

ROME (AFP) - Inter Milan coach Jose Mourinho will continue to boycott pre-match press conferences ahead of this weekend's crunch clash with AS Roma, his team said Thursday.

Mourinho has skipped his press appointments before and after matches for the last five Serie A encounters since he was hit with a three-game touchline ban for making a handcuffs gesture to television cameras.

The former Chelsea boss made the sign during his team's 0-0 draw at home to Sampdoria last month, after Inter had been reduced to nine men before the break.

The Portuguese's only public comments have come before and after Champions League matches.

Mourinho has been villified in the Italian press this season and a relationship of mutual animosity has developped between him and the media corps.

Now he sends players to speak to the press instead of appearing himself, such as following Wednesday's 3-0 win over Livorno when centre-back Ivan Cordoba spoke to the media.

Inter lead the Serie A table by four points from AC Milan and Roma with eight games remaining but should the champions lose in Rome on Saturday, there would only be a point between the top two.

Press conference statement:

Press conference Video

source: skysports.com

Inter going on!

LONDON (AFP) - Jose Mourinho insisted Inter Milan's 1-0 victory - 3-1 on aggregate - over his former club Chelsea in the Champions League on Tuesday was just reward for the perfect performance.

Mourinho savoured a moment of sweet revenge for his sacking as Chelsea boss in September 2007 as Samuel Eto'o's late goal at Stamford Bridge sent the Blues crashing out of Europe's elite club competition at the last 16 stage.

The Portuguese coach, who won five major trophies in three years with Chelsea, crafted a brilliant game-plan to frustrate Carlo Ancelotti's side and he admitted his Inter players carried it out to the letter.

"I am very happy because we won and we were the best team. Sometimes in football you win because you were lucky and sometimes you win because you are the best team from the first minute until the last. That is the perfect win. That team was my team," Mourinho said.

"I think everything was superior. Chelsea had reactions of frustration, of a team that felt the opposition was superior. Our team started the second half in an incredible way.

"We were the best team by far. Chelsea is a great team, we know that and we came here knowing very well the way they play. We knew that if you don't control the game by having the ball you have no chance.

"Every player performed at the highest level to win here, this must be almost a perfect performance. We deserve so much this victory, we were the best team."

Mourinho had promised not to celebrate if Inter won, but he leapt to his feet when Eto'o scored and then hurried down the tunnel at full-time to enjoy the moment with his players in the dressing room.

"I celebrated a lot in the dressing room when the game was over. It was a big victory for my team," Mourinho said.

"As I have said before, I am a professional, I love Chelsea, I love this stadium, I love these people but I am a professional.

"Who knows, in the future I may coach another English team and I will come here again as an opponent."

Ancelotti was brought to Chelsea by owner Roman Abramovich with the specific aim of ending the club's long wait to be crowned kings of Europe, but instead the Blues have bowed out in the last 16 for the first time since 2006.

The Italian has never been on good terms with Mourinho but he conceded Inter were well worth their victory and, with Abramovich perhaps in mind, he apologised for Chelsea's premature exit.

"Inter deserved to win. They played a very good game. They put strong pressure on our midfielders and we were not capable of playing how we wanted," Ancelotti said.

"We were never fully in control during the game. There were only a few moments when we could control it. I think we could play better.

"We are very sorry, but this is the reality. I am disappointed because we are out of a very important competition but I want to say best wishes to Inter because I have nothing against them or Mourinho."

The result was a tactical triumph for Mourinho but Ancelotti insisted he had not been out-witted by the Inter coach.

"I wasn't surprised by Mourinho's tactics. One thing I was surpised by was the hard work put in by the two wide players, Eto'o and Pandev," he added.