Former Real Madrid president Ramon Calderon said he believed the pressure to succeed at the Santiago Bernabeu was too much for Jose Mourinho, he revealed during an interview with BBC World Service.
For all his domestic and European successes while coaching in Portugal, England and Italy, the current Chelsea manager found it extremely difficult to reach the expectations of him at the giant Spanish club.
The Portuguese tactician was able to win the Spanish Super Cup, Copa del Rey and La Liga titles during his three seasons with Madrid. But his tenure at the club was overshadowed by numerous issues with the Spanish press and dust-ups with his own players.
“To be coach of Real Madrid is really, really difficult,” Calderon said.
“See what happened to Mourinho. He is someone who is used to coping with pressure and he couldn’t at Madrid.
“When Mourinho left, things were in a really bad situation. He had to leave the club after three years of a lot of problem, a lot of confrontations.”
The outspoken Calderon went on to compliment current Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti for his ability to unify the locker room and bring the club it’s much desired tenth European title.
“To be here more than two, three years is a really big task. I think he [Ancelotti] has done a very good job, not only because he won the Champions League but because things are calm, relaxed and everything is smooth.
“I have read Joachim Low is one coach we would like but it is always rumor and we will have the rumors until the next five months when it is decided whether definitely Ancelotti will be here.”
Ancelotti is currently under contract until June 2016, with the club and manager holding ongoing discussions regarding an extension. The negotiations have dragged on for months and Real Madrid’s recent dip in form has led to speculation that club president Florentino Perez is not happy with the current state of the team.
Programming note: Elche vs. Real Madrid will be shown LIVE on Sunday starting at 2:55pm EST on beINSPORTS and DishWorld.
