MOURINHO WAS JUST ANOTHER COACH - RAMOS
Sergio Ramos has suggested Zinedine Zidane's knowledge of
the Real Madrid dressing room has helped him to greater success than Jose
Mourinho enjoyed at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Mourinho comes face-to-face with his former employers in
Skopje on Tuesday, where Manchester United will take on Madrid in the UEFA
Super Cup.
He led Madrid from 2010 to 2013, winning La Liga in 2011-12
but leaving at the end of the following season amid widespread reports of
acrimonious relations with key players Iker Casillas, Cristiano Ronaldo and
Ramos.
The Portuguese was up to familiar tricks at his pre-match
news conference, stating United would be keen on signing Gareth Bale if
the Wales star is deemed surplus to requirements in the Spanish capital.
Ramos was asked to compare Mourinho to current boss Zidane –
who has led Madrid to back-to-back Champions League crowns along with their
first LaLiga title for five years - when he addressed the media.
"My view is that when a team has a coach it changes,
every coach is different because if his system, tactics, and personality,"
said the Spain and Madrid captain, taking an initially diplomatic tone.
"One coach is not necessarily better than another. They
are just different.
"Zizou was very good at understanding our dressing room
as a former player. Maybe that gives him an advantage.
"One can look at the picture and draw different
conclusions. I believe both are great coaches. We are lucky to be living this
historical moment with Zizou."
Ramos went on to play down the suggestion that Mourinho
decisively moulded his career as he transitioned from right-back to
centre-half.
"I don't think that changed my career at all," he
said. "Mourinho was just another coach I worked with in my football career
and I have always learnt from others, from when I was a youngster at Sevilla.
"So I am very, very grateful but I don't think Mourinho
has changed my life in football at all."
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