Real players refuse to work with Mourinho – report

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Published time: January 24, 2013 11:40
Edited time: January 24, 2013 18:03

Real Madrid stars are said to be sick and tired of Jose Mourinho, and are demanding the club’s administration get rid of the Portuguese coach at the end of next season.

­According to Marca newspaper, Real’s captain, Iker Casillas, and vice-captain, Sergio Ramos, have held a meeting with Real’s president, Florentino Perez.

The get-together was initially organized to discuss prize money for the current season, with the Madrid sides’ players promised €500,000 each for winning the Champions League.

But the tense situation in the team was also on the agenda as Casillas and Ramos told the president of the team’s decision to ask for a transfer to other clubs if Mourinho remains in charge.

Real Madrid’s president was quick to deny Marca’s report, calling it a figment of the journalists’ imagination.

“Rumors about an ultimatum to Mourinho are a simple lie aimed at destabilizing the situation in the club,” Perez told AS. “Yes, I had a meeting with Casillas and Ramos in a restaurant, but we weren’t discussing any ultimatums.”

“I think there are some ethical norms, which must be respected even by those, who resent Real Madrid,” he added.

Mourinho, known for his difficult character, has spoiled his relationship with most of his team’s stars.

Even Casillas, who previously seemed irreplaceable in goal, has spent many games on the bench this season.

Real’s poor display in La Liga also adds to the anxiety as the defending champions sit only third in the table, with 15 points separating them from archrivals Barcelona.

Mourinho is one of the most successful managers in the world, having won the Spanish La Liga as well as two English and two Italian league titles.

The 49-year-old also led Porto and Inter Milan to triumphs in the UEFA Champions League in 2004 and 2010.