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Mourinho should have shown humility, says Guti The 36-year-old has not been impressed with the Portuguese coach's behaviour after what he termed his "worst season"
Valdes keen to stay at Barcelona until 2014 The goalkeeper has made it clear that he has no plans to leave the Primera Division champions this summer
Cannavaro: ‘Extraordinary’ Higuain can take Juventus to the top of Europe The World Cup-winning centre-back believes the Argentine would be an excellent buy for the Bianconeri in their bid to conquer Europe
Mourinho not a Madrid flop, says Laudrup The Swansea boss disagrees with the notion that the Portuguese's time at the Santiago Bernabeu will be remembered as a failure
Falcao deal on track but no buyout clause, claims Vasilyev The 27-year-old's move to join Monaco is close according to the official, who also poured cold water on reports the striker could leave next summer if a clause is triggered
We can't judge Neymar on reputation, says Guti The 36-year-old says the Brazil international still has a lot to prove and believes Jose Mourinho has been a disappointment to Real Madrid supporters
Suarez confirms desire to leave Liverpool The Uruguay international has hinted that he could move to another league following constant negative press in England, with Real Madrid understood to be interested in the striker
Bale's qualities would fit at Real Madrid, says Figo The midfielder's agent has claimed an offer from the Spanish club would be considered following the 23-year-old's talismanic campaign at Tottenham
Valdes to address media as Barcelona exit looms The veteran Catalan goalkeeper is expected to announce his exit from Camp Nou on Friday, following Eric Abidal out of the door in the summer
Madrid right to get rid of Mourinho - Figo The ex-Blancos midfielder believes the coach had outstayed his welcome at the Liga club but insists his compatriot was not necessarily wrong to drop Iker Casillas
Neymar to be presented as a Barcelona player on Monday The Brazil forward has sealed his move to Camp Nou from Santos and will undergo a medical before an official unveiling after the international match against England
Perez: Madrid would not sell Ronaldo for €1 billion The Blancos president insists everything possible will be done to extend the Portuguese superstar's current contract
Abidal announces Barcelona exit The Frenchman will bid farewell to the Primera Division champions this summer as his expiring contract will not be renewed
Thiago Silva not leaving Paris Saint-Germain, says agent The Brazil international has been linked with a move to Barcelona, but his representative has insisted that a summer move is out of the question
Canales in line for Real Madrid return Carlo Ancelotti is a keen admirer of the current Valencia star and is eager to bring him back to the Santiago Bernabeu side ahead of the 2013-14 campaign
Heynckes would be a good choice for Madrid, says Carvajal The right-back feels the 68-year-old would fit in well at the Santiago Bernabeu side, before insisting that his own future is far from certain
Pellegrini: No hard feelings towards Madrid The Chilean coach says he does not hold a grudge against his former club and has revealed that a lack of ambition prompted him to leave Malaga
Florentino Perez: Bale was born to play for Real Madrid After a stunning season at White Hart Lane the winger has attracted serious interest from los Blancos, and the president has dropped the strongest hint yet of making an offer
Pellegrini: I have a verbal agreement with Manchester City After weeks of speculation, the Chilean has confirmed that discussion have taken place with the Premier League club to succeed the sacked Roberto Mancini for next season
Rami hints at Valencia exit The defender continues to be linked with the Mestalla exit door but revealed his current club are determined to retain his services
Galatasaray reject €17 million Barcelona bid for Muslera The Blaugrana have stepped up their efforts to replace Victor Valdes by making a move for the Uruguay international
Suarez would 'find it hard' to turn down Real Madrid The Liverpool striker, who is contracted until 2016, says he is flattered by rumours linking him with a switch to the Santiago Bernabeu
Caballero keen to replace Valdes at Barcelona The Camp Nou giants are looking for a new shot stopper this summer and the Malaga No.1 says only a "stupid person" would reject them
Totti: I’d have two Ballons d’Or if I had joined Real Madrid The legendary Italian feels that he would have tasted unparalleled success had he completed a move to the Spanish capital in 2004
Reina: It would be hard to turn down Barcelona The 30-year-old goalkeeper is happy at Anfield but says it would be tough to ignore an approach from the Liga champions should they make an offer
Neymar: It will be an honour to face Cristiano Ronaldo The Brazilian also claimed that his religious beliefs gave him the “wisdom” to join the Liga champions ahead of his move to Camp Nou this summer
Del Potro: Messi is ahead of the rest The tennis star feels that his Argentina compatriot is the finest player in world football and revealed they regularly keep in contact during their respective tournaments
Hoeness: Guardiola wanted Neymar at Bayern The former Barcelona boss was keen to lure the Brazil international to Bavaria until the Champions League winners moved for Mario Gotze instead
Cruyff advises Vilanova to step down as Barcelona coach The former Netherlands star believes it would be in the coach's best interest to call it quits for now, while he has lashed out at Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho
Thiago to address future after U-21 Euros The Barcelona midfielder is wanted by new Red Devils boss David Moyes and says he will "see what happens" after the tournament in Israel despite his happiness in Catalonia
Ribery: I would turn down Real Madrid The Frenchman has insisted that a summer move is not an option for him as he's keen to stay at the Champions League winners
Messi & Cristiano Ronaldo not realistic transfer targets for Monaco, says general director The Stade Louis II outfit realise both Primera Division stars are out of their reach for now and added that they will sign only five or six players this summer
Barcelona put clubs on Deulofeu alert The Spanish giants want to send the highly-rated 19-year-old forward on loan next season, with a number of Premier League clubs showing an interest in the precocious talent
Gullit: Mourinho has to deliver the Champions League to Chelsea Conquering Europe is the minimum requirement for the Special One if he is to be branded a success in his second spell as manager at Stamford Bridge, according to the ex-Blues boss
Bale would listen to Real Madrid offer, insists agent Los Blancos are being urged to step up their interest in the Welsh winger by their supporters and the Madrid press, and they may be encouraged further by the latest declarations
Falcao set to complete Monaco deal The Colombia international has inked a four-year deal with the Ligue 2 champions and will be announced as the club's marquee signing shortly
'Neymar has everything needed to be the best' - Ronaldinho The 33-year-old has lavished praise on the starlet and has tipped him to adapt well to his new surroundings
Higuain switch to Juventus '70%' likely, says Bronzetti The agent believes the Real Madrid attacker is not far away from completing a move to the Serie A champions
Neymar: I have butterflies in my stomach over playing with Messi The Brazil sensation admits he is realising a dream by linking up with the Argentina great at Camp Nou, but insists his primary focus for now is the Confederations Cup
Adriano delighted to sign Barcelona extension The 28-year-old has spoke of his delight having inked a new contract which will keep him with the Liga giants until 2017, unless his buyout clause of €90m is triggered
La Liga Preview: Barcelona aim for 100 points as Mourinho bids farewell
30 May 2013
Champions Barcelona can reach 100 points for the season by beating Malaga in the last round of La Liga matches on Saturday.
Barcelona have been in phenomenal form throughout the league campaign and are currently on an 11-match unbeaten run, with their last defeat coming at Real Madrid in March.
They have lost just twice all season, and lead second-placed Real by 15 points.
Lionel Messi will again be missing for the champions due to a hamstring injury but the Argentine has again been instrumental to his side's success, scoring 46 goals in just 32 La Liga appearances.
Elsewhere, Jose Mourinho will take charge of Real for the last time when they face Osasuna.
Mourinho's tenure has finished in disappointing fashion, with the club drawing their last two La Liga fixtures and losing in the Copa del Rey final to rivals Atletico Madrid on May 17.
Real fans are hoping that Cristiano Ronaldo - who has scored 34 La Liga goals in 2012-13 - does not follow his fellow Portuguese through the exit door, as the ex-Manchester United forward has been linked with a potential return to the Premier League.
In the battle to beat the drop, four teams will fight it out for 17th position to guarantee top-flight football next season.
Deportivo La Coruna currently occupy the position and, despite losing 3-1 to Malaga on Sunday, will be hopeful of beating UEFA Champions League-chasing Real Sociedad at home.
Celta Vigo (18th) and Zeal Zaragoza (19th) host Espanyol and Atletico Madrid respectively, while bottom-placed side Mallorca entertain Real Valladolid.
Valencia can secure their position in next season's UEFA Champions League if they win their fifth consecutive game against Sevilla.
A Roberto Soldado goal in the 60th minute against Granada put them in fourth position, ahead of Sociedad in fifth.
Elsewhere Getafe travel to Granada, Levante take on Real Betis and Rayo Vallecano host Athletic Bilbao.
Bayern Munich midfielder Anatoliy Tymoshchuk has claimed that the outgoing Bavarian boss is almost certain to replace Jose Mourinho in charge at the Santiago Bernabeu
Anatoliy Tymoshchuk has revealed that current Bayern Munich coach Jupp Heynckes is "99 per cent" certain to return to Real Madrid this summer.
Jose Mourinho will take charge of his last game on Saturday for the Blancos, against Osasuna, while the Bavarians boss will attempt to achieve an unprecedented German treble in the DFB-Pokal final against Stuttgart on the same day.
With Mourinho en route to Chelsea and Pep Guardiola stepping into Heynckes' shoes at the Allianz Arena, Tymoshchuk has suggested that Heynckes will return to the Santiago Bernabeu in the coming weeks rather than consider retirement.
"There is a 99 per cent chance that Heynckes will train Real Madrid," he said to Russia 2.
Heynckes spent a single season at Madrid and lifted the Champions League with the Spanish side, but he was fired after failing to perform domestically as the club finished fourth in the table.
Tymoshchuk confirmed that he would be leaving the Allianz Arena this summer but refused to reveal his destination, while insisting that Arjen Robben - who scored the Champions League-winning goal in the final - is set to stay at Bayern.
"Robben told me he's certain to stay in Bayern," the Ukrainian added. "And I'm leaving. I can't say where until Monday. Not [Borussia] Dortmund for sure!"
'World class Neymar' 100 per cent ready for Barcelona - Cafu
May 30, 2013 12:15:00 PM
The two-time World Cup winner is certain that the 21-year-old will be a star in La Liga after sealing a move from Santos to Camp Nou
EXCLUSIVE
By Carlo Garganese
Brazil legend Cafu has tipped compatriot Neymar to be a big success at Barcelona following his long-awaited transfer fram Santos.
The 21-year-old completed his move to Barca on Monday for a fee reported to be in the region of €60 million, signing a five-year-deal with the Spanish champions.
“Is Neymar ready? Absolutely. Neymar is 100 per cent ready to play for Barcelona,” Cafu told Goal.
“He is already a world class player.”
Cafu, 42, enjoyed a glittering playing career, winning 142 Brazil caps and two World Cups while also claiming Scudetti with Roma and AC Milan.
The 2007 Champions League winner also played down reports that his former team-mate Clarence Seedorf was ready to succeed Massimiliano Allegri as the coach of Milan this summer.
"Clarence is still a player so we can't talk about him being coach of Milan," Cafu noted.
Seedorf departed Milan at the end of the 2011-12 European season to join Brazilian club Botafogo, but is one of the favourites to replace the under-fire Allegri at San Siro.
La Liga champions Barcelona finished the season with a record-equalling haul of 100 points after a 4-1 victory over Malaga on Saturday.
The Camp Nou side dominated the early exchanges and found themselves 3-0 up inside 16 minutes, following goals from David Villa, Cesc Fabregas and a great finish from Martin Montoya. Andres Iniesta put the result beyond doubt in the 52nd minute before Pedro Morales volleyed home a consolation goal for the visitors and outgoing coach Manuel Pellegrini. Eric Abidal made an emotional final appearance for Barcelona, who finished the season 15 points ahead of Real Madrid after their arch-rivals beat Osasuna 4-2.
Jose Mourinho bid farewell to the Santiago Bernabeu after the game, in which Gonzalo Higuain and Michael Essien netted first-half goals for the hosts. Roberto Torres and Alvaro Cejudo restored parity after the break but Karim Benzema and Jose Callejon scored to secure the three points.
The race for a place in next season’s UEFA Champions League and the battle to beat the drop all needed deciding during the final day of fixtures. Both of these proved to be settled during Deportivo La Coruna’s 1-0 defeat to Real Sociedad at Riazor. Antoine Griezmann scored the only goal of the game when he scuffed a close-range finish in off the post, which relegated the hosts and secured Sociedad’s unlikely fourth-place finish.
Valencia could have sealed UEFA Champions League qualification with three points but slipped to a dramatic 4-3 defeat at Sevilla. Alvaro Negredo netted all four goals for the hosts, the first of which was an overhead kick five minutes before half time to cancel out Ever Banega’s 12th-minute opener. Valencia forward Jonas was shown a straight red card for a late challenge inside the area and Negredo converted the spot-kick with ease. Roberto Soldado kept the dramatic match alive as he equalised with a volley, but that did not matter as Negredo netted another two goals in response, before Soldado scored two minutes from time.
Celta Vigo’s 1-0 win over Espanyol helped them to survive by a single point, with Natxo Insa's 14th-minute goal proving to be the difference.
Real Mallorca beat Real Valladolid 4-2 at the Iberostar Stadium but needed all three relegation rivals to lose to have any hope of survival. The home side showed urgency from the outset and went ahead in the 17th minute through Alejandro Alfaro, but were pegged back by an Alberto Bueno header. Marti restored Mallorca’s lead just ahead of the half-time break, before Giovanni Dos Santos curled in a clever effort from 20 yards and Javi Marquez made the three points safe with a powerful finish in the 69th minute.
Atletico Madrid left it late to seal Real Zaragoza’s fate as Arda Turan netted six minutes from time at La Romareda. Helder Postiga pulled one back for the hosts but Brazilian striker Diego Costa scored a quickfire brace to give third-placed Atletico the win and send Zaragoza down.
Elsewhere, Rayo Vallecano and Athletic Bilbao celebrated mid-table safety by sharing a four-goal thriller at the Estadio Teresa Rivero.
The visitors were reduced to 10 men after just nine minutes when Artiz Aduriz was sent off for a second bookable offence. Franco Vazquez broke the deadlock with a close-range finish in the 19th minute but Markel Susaeta equalised for Bilbao, despite their numerical disadvantage. Jon Aurtenetxe headed home a measured cross from Ibai Gomez to give the visitors a surprise lead, but that only lasted eight minutes as Piti restored parity with his 17th goal of the season.
Real Betis played out a 1-1 draw at Levante to make sure of seventh place and definite UEFA Europa League qualification, as Malaga are still banned from competing, while Granada ran out 2-0 winners against a Getafe side who effectively had little to play for.
Villa tight-lipped over future The 31-year-old has refused to comment on rumours linking him with a move to England
Valeron bids emotional farewell to Deportivo The 37-year-old called time on a 13-year spell with the club after defeat to Real Sociedad confirmed their relegation, but says he will not hang up his boots
Xabi Alonso to miss Confederations Cup The Spain midfielder has been struggling with a groin problem this term and will not be able to travel with his team-mates to Brazil, while Benat & Javi Garcia also miss out
'The door isn't closed to Mourinho at Madrid' - Perez The Blancos president believes the outgoing coach suffered "personal abuse" from some quarters while in charge at the Santiago Bernabeu
Neymar: Ronaldo, Kaka & Marcelo tried to convince me to join Madrid The Brazilian listened to his family over his peers to decide to join Barcelona and says the prospect of playing alongside Lionel Messi is an honour
Mourinho to be named Chelsea manager on Monday, says Real Madrid president Perez The 50-year-old, who won two Premier League titles in his first stint at Stamford Bridge, took charge of his final match in the Spanish capital on Saturday
Valdes pays tribute to 'great example' Abidal The Barcelona goalkeeper revealed his sadness to see the Frenchman leave Camp Nou, further underlining his own desire to stay at the club
Fast forward: Neymar sprints at 34.7kph Impressive data has emerged on the physical performance levels of Barcelona's latest star revealing the potent pace he possesses on the pitch
Florentino Perez re-elected as Real Madrid president The 66-year-old will serve another four years as los Blancos chief after he remained unopposed for the position after the deadline for further nominations passed
La Liga loses some shine as Mourinho, Falcao and Abidal bid fond farewells Spain's Primera Division will be a very different competition in 2013-14 following a number of high-profile exits on Saturday as the current campaign ended with a wave of goodbyes
Bale can't turn down Real Madrid or Barcelona, insists McManaman The former Liverpool and los Blancos star insists the flying Welshman has to test himself against the very best in the world, as speculation mounts about his future
Valdes absence irrelevant, says Vilanova The goalkeeper didn't feature in the club's final game of the season as his coach is certain he will play again next term
Pellegrini due to hold talks with Manchester City The Chilean confirmed he will meet Etihad officials to discuss becoming Roberto Mancini's successor following a 4-1 defeat to Barcelona in his final game in charge of Malaga
Djukic to replace Valverde as Valencia coach The Mestalla outfit will appoint the Serbian to lead the club next season following their failure to secure Champions League football
Abidal: I will always carry Barcelona in my heart The defender bid farewell to Camp Nou on Saturday, with Tito Vilanova leading the tributes to the departing Frenchman
Arbeloa blames Madrid players for Mourinho exit The right-back has launched an attack on the squad for not putting the club ahead of their own interests this season
Higuain: I have decided to leave Madrid The striker could be set for a move to Italy after deciding to call time on his stay at the Santiago Bernabeu
'It's been a great season for Real Sociedad' - Montanier The French coach claimed that his side have had an excellent year regardless of whether or not they attain Champions League football
Mourinho receives mixed reception in final game as Real Madrid coach The Portuguese boss guided his side to a 4-2 win over Osasuna in his final game as the club's boss and divided fans inside the Bernabeu
Falcao: My time at Atletico has been unforgettable The Colombia striker was delighted to beat Real Madrid in the Copa del Rey final this season and says he will remain a huge Rojiblancos fan
De Gea: Casillas is the best keeper in the world The Spain Under-21 captain lavished praise on his compatriot and believes the national side can overcome a different group in this month's Euros
'I prefer Falcao to Ibrahimovic' Monaco attacker Valere Germain cannot wait to train and play alongside the Colombian next season and expects the principality club to compete with PSG
Valdes tips Liverpool goalkeeper Reina to be his Barcelona successor The 31-year-old, who has announced he will leave the club in 2014, believes his fellow Spain international has the necessary quality and experience to replace him next summer
Inter had Mourinho agitation problems, reveals Thiago Motta The Brazilian believes the frustration at Real Madrid is reminiscent of the Portuguese's Nerazzurri spell and praised current PSG coach Carlo Ancelotti
Pellegrini: Barcelona nearly hired me instead of Guardiola The outgoing Malaga coach, who is in line to replace Roberto Mancini at Manchester City, insists he no longer has eyes for the Camp Nou job
Mourinho thanks Madrid fans for support The outgoing Blancos boss has sent out a message ahead of his final game in charge at the Santiago Bernabeu on Saturday
Vilanova: Barcelona looking for Puyol successor The Blaugrana coach also spoke about the recent acquisition of Neymar, Eric Abidal's imminent exit from Camp Nou and defended his decision to stay despite health issues
Falcao is throwing his career away by signing for Monaco The Colombian striker is quite rightly regarded as one of the most lethal finishers in world football, but he appears to have taken a step down in level solely for financial gain
Monaco announce Falcao deal The principality club have confirmed that they have secured the services of the Colombian on a five-year deal, seeing off competition from the Premier Leauge
I will retire at 40, says Puyol The Barcelona veteran claims he will hang up his boots when his current contract at Camp Nou expires despite ongoing problems following knee surgery
Neymar's first day at Barcelona revealed The Brazilian superstar is set to be unveiled at Camp Nou on Monday, with around 50,000 supporters and assembled media expected to turn out for the event
Benzema delighted with Varane progress The Real Madrid striker feels his compatriot is well on the way to becoming a mainstay in both the Blancos and France national team
Marcelo: I wanted Neymar at Real Madrid The Brazilian says he is 'happy' for his international team-mate as he prepares to join Barcelona despite wishing he had opted to move to the Spanish capital instead
Heynckes denies Real Madrid agreement The departing Bayern Munich boss has dismissed claims from Anatoliy Tymoshchuk that a deal is "99 per cent" agreed but hinted he may reveal his future plans on Saturday
'Mourinho will be a disaster at Chelsea' - Barcelona vice-president slams Real Madrid boss
By Husmukh Kerai
May 31, 2013 1:50:00 PM
Carles Vilarrubi anticipates trouble at Stamford Bridge should the Portuguese be installed as the Blues' new manager after a tumultuous three years at the Santiago Bernabeu
Barcelona vice-president Carles Vilarrubi has warned Chelsea that bringing Jose Mourinho back to the club could end in disaster.
Goal understands the former Real Madrid boss is on the verge of returning to Stamford Bridge for a second spell in charge and will have his appointment confirmed in a matter of days.
But Vilarrubi believes his second stint with the club will only spell trouble for the Europa League winners.
"It's not good for English football; there is nothing positive in what he leaves in Spain," he told The Telegraph.
"Chelsea can think they had a good time with him, but now is when they will see the real Mourinho. If he acts the same way he has done in Spain, the relationship between them will be just unhappy.
"Mourinho will be a disaster at Chelsea; he is not going to change at his age. I don't talk this way only because he was a rival, but also because how he acted and what he did. His three years in Spain only left us arguments and disagreements."
The Barcelona official dislikes Mourinho's mentality against his opponents, saying the Portuguese is too often out on a personal mission for vengeance.
"He has always been like this," he continued. "What kind of coach wins the Champions League twice and does not fly home on the same aeroplane as his players?"
"A coach you would think he wants to celebrate with his players, enjoy the moment. Not him. He is thinking of himself. I don’t know what is wrong with him. In his mind there is something wrong."
The Spanish giants announced a new sponsorship deal with Emirates on Thursday and will now be looking to find a suitable sponsor for their stadium
By Alberto Pinero
Real Madrid are considering selling the naming rights to the Santiago Bernabeu as they look for new ways to generate revenue.
The club announced on Thursday that Emirates will take Bwin's place as their new shirt sponsor from next season onwards.
The deal is believed to be worth €125 million for five campaigns, with club president Florentino Perez hailing the deal with the airline company.
"We want a strong Real Madrid and part of that comes through alliances with large companies. We are making this alliance with the world's most important airline and it is an alliance for the present and for the future," Perez said.
"Emirates become Real Madrid’s new main sponsor. Two global brands and two leading organisations. This is one of the club’s most important decisions. It is an honour to link the Emirates name to Real Madrid’s because they are a perfect partner and ally."
But los Blancos' thirst for financial investment will not stop there and the club are now searching for a suitable sponsor for the Santiago Bernabeu.
Clubs such as Bayern Munich (Allianz Arena), Borussia Dortmund (Signal Iduna Park), Arsenal (Emirates Stadium) and Manchester City (Etihad Stadium) have previously cashed in on the naming rights to their grounds and Madrid are pondering following in the footsteps of the aforementioned clubs.
However, the Liga giants are determined to make sure that the stadium's principal name will remain the Santiago Bernabeu because of its historical meaning for the fans.
I do not like the hype surrounding Neymar, says Clemente
By Stefan Coerts
Jun 1, 2013 10:49:00 AM
The experienced coach is having doubts as to whether the tricky attacker will make an instant impact at Barcelona as he prepares to move to Camp Nou
Former Spain coach Javier Clemente is unsure whether Neymar has what it takes to succeed at Barcelona following his transfer from Santos to the Blaugrana.
The 21-year-old will make the move to the Primera Division champions this summer after they beat the likes of Real Madrid to the attacker's signature, but Clemente is not impressed with the hype surrounding the player.
"I don't really know much about Neymar. I have only seen him on television. But there are a few things I do no like about him," he told Sport.
"I don't like the hype surrounding him. I prefer things to be simple and I don't like his haircut and his eccentricities.
"And the Brazilian league is nothing like Europe. When players from Brazil move to Europe, they generally need time to adapt. Neymar looks amazing on television and does some wonderful things, but football isn't that simple.
"Then again, if Barcelona are willing to pay that much for him and Real Madrid were after him as well, I imagine he's a good player."
Neymar will be presented to the press on Monday before taking off to participate at the Confederations Cup with Brazil.
Premier League apologise to Chelsea for Mourinho gaffe
By Andrew Wychrij
Jun 2, 2013 9:48:00 AM
The official site for the English top flight mistakenly posted a news article announcing that the Portuguese had officially rejoined the Blues
The Premier League has apologised for mistakenly posting an article confirming the return of Jose Mourinho to Chelsea.
The story, dated Monday June 3, proclaims that the Portuguese coach has agreed to rejoin the Stamford Bridge outfit after weeks of speculation that a deal was in the offing, although the article itself has since been disabled.
A spokesperson for the Premier League was quoted as saying by Sky Sports: "It was a publishing error. We took it down as soon as we were notified of it, and we've spoken to and apologised to Chelsea.
"We have no prior knowledge of any movement or any announcement."
It was confirmed earlier this month that Mourinho was to leave his post at Real Madrid after a tumultuous and trophyless campaign, with the Portuguese signing off with a 4-2 win over Osasuna on Saturday.
It is believed he could take up the reins at Chelsea within the next week, returning to the club where he won two Premier League titles, an FA Cup and two League Cups before departing in September 2007.
Ricardo Carvalho, who was an integral part of Mourinho's success at Chelsea, claimed after Madrid's win on Saturday that his compatriot was poised to return to Stamford Bridge and backed him to be a success.
"I'm sure in two, three years they can [win the Premier League] but even in his first year he can win it again," Carvalho told Sky Sports.
"When we arrived together in 2004 Chelsea had not won the league for 50 years so I hope now they can win it again. Jose is a special coach and I think he deserves all the best because he works very hard."
Paris Saint-Germain coach Carlo Ancelotti remains the favourite to replace Mourinho at Santiago Bernabeu this summer.
I will be Chelsea manager by the end of the week! Jose heads to Chelsea with parting shot for Ronaldo as Madrid's dressing-room war is exposed at bitter end
By PETE JENSON PUBLISHED: 21:30 GMT, 2 June 2013 | UPDATED: 06:40 GMT, 3 June 2013
Jose Mourinho has confirmed that he will take charge of Chelsea later this week.'I'm going to London on Monday and at the end of the week I will be the manager of Chelsea,' he said to leading Spanish TV football show Punto Pelota. 'I feel the people there love me and in life you have to look for that.'Life is beautiful and short and you must look for what you think is best for you.' Never have the words ‘the bitter end’ been more apt as Jose Mourinho took charge of his last game at Real Madrid before returning to Chelsea.
Back in England: Jose Mourinho is back in London ahead of his expected return to Chelsea
Farewell: Jose Mourinho took charge of his final game for Real Madrid before returning to manage Chelsea
Snapped: Mourinho was spotted at Heathrow Airport on Sunday as he closed in on his return to Chelsea
He left the Santiago Bernabeu on Saturday night without saying goodbye to Cristiano Ronaldo, Pepe and Iker Casillas, having suggested all three had deliberately ruled themselves out of his last game in charge. And as if to underline the divisions, Alvaro Arbeloa — one of the players who had stayed loyal to Mourinho in what had become a dressing-room war against the coach — claimed the manager had been betrayed by his players.Mourinho had left as many as 10 first-team players out of his final squad for Saturday’s visit of Osasuna, but claimed that, while many were injured and had been ruled out by the club’s medical staff, Ronaldo, Casillas and Pepe had all taken it upon themselves to miss the last game.
He told Spanish television channel Intereconomia: ‘The players not in the team had either been declared injured by club doctors, or have declared themselves injured. ‘Pepe, Cristiano and Casillas all ruled themselves out with back pain. They did not train all week and they did not train very well last week either.’The disintegration of player-coach relations after Real Madrid’s Champions League semi-final exit against Borussia Dortmund intensified after the charade of the Spanish Cup final, which Real lost with both Mourinho and Ronaldo sent off. It had reached such levels that it seems the star players wanted no part in their coach’s send-off.
Waiting game: Mourinho and Cristiano Ronaldo stood at opposite ends of the tunnel before Madrid's game
The manager who built winning teams at Chelsea, Inter Milan and Porto on the foundation of unbreakable dressing-room unity was unable to do the same at Real Madrid. Straight after Saturday’s 4-2 win, Arbeloa suggested that Mourinho was let down by selfish players.The Spain defender said: ‘Mourinho gave everything for the club, always putting it first, and sometimes his image was affected by that. I am not sure everyone else, players included, can say the same.‘A lot of us worried that we might look bad in the media. We worried about having a good public image and we spoke always for our own benefit. There is a good group of players here and we all have a good relationship, but perhaps we lacked maturity at times.’The split between Mourinho and his players was never as clear as in the tunnel before the final home game of the season as he waited until the last moment possible to take to the pitch.
Mixed emotions: Some Madrid fans thanked Mourinho (above) but some said they would 'see him never'
Ronaldo was also in the tunnel waiting to be awarded a post-season prize, and not a word was exchanged between the pair. Pepe and Casillas appeared at the top of the stairs that lead to the dressing room, ready to watch the game from the private players’ boxes high up in the Bernabeu. They looked down on Ronaldo. He looked at Mourinho, who looked out on to the pitch, avoiding eye contact with his three errant players. It was an image to sum up a tempestuous last season in charge when, for the first time in his career, the Special One had lost the dressing room.‘We have to learn for next season,’ said Arbeloa. ‘With the new coach, we have to be united with everyone helping each other. ‘This coach has won wherever he has gone and it is strange that here, where he had the best squad he has ever had, is where he has won the least.’The divisions in the dressing room were as ever replicated in the stands of the Bernabeu.
Few and far between: Mourinho enjoyed a good relationship with Michael Essien who will return to Chelsea
Supporters behind one goal sung his name throughout the 4-2 win but the songs were drowned out by jeers from the remaining three sides of the stadium. There were ‘Thanks for everything’ signs held aloft but others read, ‘Thanks for nothing’ and ‘Don’t ever come back’.The most vocal of the pro-Mourinho supporters hung a ‘Mourinho we love you’ banner from the stand behind the south goal. The outgoing coach came back out to those supporters after the end of the game to have pictures taken with several who had made their way on to the pitch.The game itself saw Mourinho clock up his 128th win in his 178th game in charge. It also meant the club had gone the entire season without losing at home — save the cup final when they had occupied the away dressing room. Despite the victory there was little sign of celebrations. Another who said an unhappy goodbye was Gonzalo Higuain. He did not celebrate after scoring the game’s opener and confirmed after the match that he would not play for Real again: ‘It’s a decision I have taken calmly over time. I have been here seven years, they try to sell me every pre-season and I need to go somewhere I am truly wanted.’Arsenal will have taken note of the confirmation of his departure, as well as his insistence that a switch to Juventus had not been finalised.
On the move: Ronaldo could follow his boss out of the Spanish capital as Manchester United eye a reunion
Luka Modric and Arbeloa both had farewell photographs taken with Mourinho and his coaching staff. And when Michael Essien, on loan from Chelsea, scored Madrid’s second goal, he ran to embrace the coach on the touchline. Essien expects to go back to Chelsea with Mourinho, while, at Madrid, a new era begins as the club confirm Florentino Perez will continue as president for the next four years. His first business will be to try to persuade Ronaldo to sign a contract extension but he may be fighting a losing battle with Manchester United confident they can lure the forward back to Old Trafford, making him a spectacular signing for new manager David Moyes.
Perez met the player’s agent Jorge Mendes last week — and a two-year extension on Ronaldo’s current deal that runs until 2016 is on the table which would see him clear £13.5million a year after tax has been paid by the club. There is hope at the Bernabeu that with the increased offer and Mourinho’s departure Ronaldo is more likely to stay but the Portugal international is aware that he would be adored by United fans if he returns in contrast to the mixed reception he has received from Real supporters. Perez knows the player’s decision will impact on just how hard he must push to bring in Gareth Bale for £80m this year, as well as influencing whether a £40m bid for Luis Suarez goes ahead.
