Tuesday, 7th May, 2013
Real Madrid head coach Jose Mourinho has come out and slammed his detractors for questioning his preference for goalkeeper Diego Lopez in recent weeks, adding that people should respect his decision as the club’s manager.
Since signing for Los Blancos from Sevilla in the January transfer window, Lopez has made 13 league starts for his new club, edging Iker Casillas out of the top spot even after the Spain number one recovered from a hand injury.
The choice seems to have drawn the ire of many supporters as well as prominent players. Real Madrid defender Pepe, for his part, has blasted Mourinho’s "lack of respect" for Casillas while Barcelona playmaker Andres Iniesta has expressed his confusion over Casillas’ lack of game time.
But Mourinho, strongly linked with a move to Chelsea in the summer, has publicly voiced his frustration at his critics, telling a press conference, via Marca, "I like another keeper’s profile, just as Casillas can tell you he likes [Vicente] del Bosque or [Manuel] Pellegini more as a coach.
relatedNewsStory
"As long as I am the coach of Real Madrid, Diego Lopez will play under normal conditions. It’s that simple. People say I have no idea about football by this decision? Have respect for a coach who decides who to play. It’s my decision", the Portuguese tactician added.
Not content at general retorting, Mourinho hit back at Pepe, saying, "You don’t have to be smart, you just have to be a normal person to understand that he’s just frustrated. It’s not easy for a man 31 years of age to be kicked out of the squad by a 19-year-old [Raphael Varane, ed.]. It’s that simple."
As for Iniesta, Mourinho had some stinging words as well. "Iniesta should worry more about his team and how they could not make it past the [Champions League] semi-finals without [Lionel] Messi."
Why not grab up to £50 in free bets at brand new bookie Winner.com?
And for betting tips, previews and free bets visit Inside Bet!
