Real Madrid’s Portuguese centre-back Pepe has admitted that Real Madrid FC was widely hated under the management of former boss Jose Mourinho and is glad that he is no longer a part of the European champions.
The Ex-Madrid boss had made many enemies inside in his Bernabeu camp including key players of the club like Iker Casillas and Brazilian-born Portuguese international Pepe. Mourinho was also involved in a long lasting bitter feud with then rival coach Pep Guardiola.
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Pepe did not have any kind words for his former manager, revealing the frustrations that he and the club members have been through under his management.
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"Under Mourinho, people hated us when we got out there on the pitch," Pepe told Cadena Ser.
"It lasted three years and thank God it went very quick.”
Pepe also mentioned that the arrival of Carlo Ancelotti had brought a better perspective about the club among people. Ancelotti secured Real Madrid their 10th European Cup and also Copa del Rey on arrival at the club in 2013. The following year he guided Madrid to a club record 22 consecutive victories along with UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup.
"Things changed when Carlo Ancelotti came in, you could see people started treating us different again."
Pepe and the rest of the Real Madrid squad seem pretty confident and happy under the leadership of their current manager and club legend Zinedine Zidane. Pepe had nothing but praise for their new manager.
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"What happened with Mourinho is in the past now. I was strong and got over it. I maintained my high level at Madrid," he said.
"Mourinho and Zidane are very different, one could say they are opposites. But it's not like one is bad and the other is good. Mourinho has a lot of experience as a coach, with great clubs and players. Zidane has only just started in La Liga last year. But he has played at the highest level himself and always knows what's expected on the pitch.
"Zidane has been a player and knows what we think. He had a brilliant career at Madrid, so understands what the pressure is like here.”
Pepe also mentioned the Frenchman’s confidence in the players after a silent transfer window. Zidane feels overhauling a squad does not necessarily guarantee success and seems to be quite happy with the current set of players he has. Zizou’s experience as a player has conditioned his approach to transfers as a manager.
"We need to try to enjoy these moments because they'll end one day, and he's given us all a vote of confidence by not signing new players,"
Real Madrid enjoyed a successful spell under Zinedine Zidane last season after Frenchman lead the team to its 11th European title after defeating Atletico Madrid on penalties. Zidane is slowly settling into life as manager of Real Madrid after replacing the hapless Rafael Benitez.
The former Galactico had recently recorded a 15th consecutive La Liga win as Madrid’s manager, equaling Miguel Muñoz’s club record from the 1960-61 season.
