Right Back: Sergio Ramos
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Among the many bonds Sergio Ramos shared with Iker Casillas was their relationship with their then manager, Jose Mourinho. He apparently once told his club President either Mourinho leaves or we (the players) leave.
Ramos did not even pick Mourinho in his list of ‘best’ managers and preferred Ancelotti’s man management over Jose’s in an interview.
In another interview after Mourinho’s exit from Madrid, the Madrid star apparently pretended to forget who Mourinho was.
Centre back: Pepe
Most managers would be excited at the possibility of having players of this calibre in their backline, but Jose is not most managers. Mourinho once told the media that “Pepe had a problem at Madrid and ‘his name was Raphael Varane”. According to Mourinho, Pepe was unhappy at the fact that his playing time was in jeopardy because of the then 19-year old.
If Pepe is to be believed, Mourinho isn’t being missed exactly at Madrid, and he thinks Zidane understands his players much better, having been a player himself. Pepe went on the record saying that Madrid and its players were hated during Mourinho’s time, a situation that has changed for the better now.
Centre back: David Luiz
David Luiz was a Champions League winner with Chelsea but he did not fit into Jose’s scheme of things. The Brazilian on most occasions lost his place in the starting lineup to John Terry and Gary Cahill. This coupled with his expensive price tag and presence of takers for him at that steep a price created the perfect opening for Mourinho to offload him.
On his departure, in typical Jose fashion, he said that Luiz “would not be missed.” The situation has worsened over the years with heated exchanges between the pair.
Left back: William Gallas
Gallas was desperate to leave Chelsea for Arsenal after his request to be played as a central defender rather than a left back fell on deaf ears. He threatened to score own goals if his wish wasn’t granted. To make things worse, the public release of his statements didn’t help the situation with the club and fans.
Add to that, his relationship with Jose. He continued to attack his manager publicly and we all know there is no beating around the bush with Jose, who either plays you or pushes you to the brink.
