Florentino Perez wanted the Portuguese as coach but was overruled by key dressing room figures, says the ex-Blancos president
Jose Mourinho was Florentino Perez's first choice as Real Madrid head coach, and not Zinedine Zidane, according to former club president Roman Calderon.
Club great Zidane was appointed as Madrid's third coach of the season earlier this week after the Spanish giants had underwhelmed under the leadership of Julen Lopetegui and Santiago Solari.
Los Blancos have fallen 12 points off the pace in LaLiga and were dumped out of the Champions League in a 4-1 humbling by Ajax at the Santiago Bernabeu.
The 46-year-old Frenchman returns after a trophy-laden 28-month spell in charge, which started in January 2016, as he led Madrid to three straight Champions League triumphs and a LaLiga title.
But despite Zidane overseeing Madrid's successful era, it was another ex-head coach who was current president Perez' go-to guy, according to Calderon.
"The first option was Mourinho, and Mourinho was the one who was going to come to Real Madrid because he's the only coach the president respects,” said Calderon, as reported in Spanish media outlet AS.
"Florentino sees the Portuguese coach as a shield.
"He says what nobody dares, he blames the referees, the press, [he says] that which is not normally said."
Calderon revealed he is not in agreement with Perez, which he believes is a belief shared among key figures in the Madrid dressing room.
"The dressing room leaders pushed to reject the possibility of Jose Mourinho," Calderon told Sky Sports.
"He left [Real Madrid] a lot of problems and I think he would have been another problem to the ones we already have if he had come.
"I think Jose Mourinho would have been a step backwards, there was a lot of problems and controversy when he was here.
"He is a good coach with a lot of trophies but many of the leaders in the dressing room didn't like him and I think that was important in the decision-making."
madridsta_5199
0
this Calderon man should be quite. we have seen him before ah why ?
He was the guy who bought Ronaldo to Madrid. Perez just took the credit. He changed the clubs history as president he should have a say in what goes on in the club.
Heynt
0
this Calderon man should be quite. we have seen him before ah why ?
juniornii22
0
tell you if this Calderon is Madrid president mourinho would be the coach.
damadimrs
0
Jose Mourinho rejected appointment of Real and missed Real Madrid managerial job master minded by José Mourinho haters ex-Real Madrid president Calidero and ex-technical board member Validano
isco disco
0
I they took mumurinho, that means there wouldn't have any champion league spot for r.madrid
😂😂😂😂 savage
DaMhztourage
3
Is there really a Madrid coach who escaped Perez's sack except Zizou who played smart to step down at end of last season ? Papa Perez is Madrid's strong man who loves hiring and firing coaches with reckless abandon , he might have lured Zizou back to officially sack him somewhere along the line and add him to his numerous list of Santiago Bernabeu victims , there's a report of disagreement between Zidane and Perez already over who goes and who comes in after Militao's signing announcement , as far as Perez is concerned , it may no be a smooth sail for Zidane after all , no disrespect to Zizou though.
Teenobby
2
Jose is great manager.
jesusbaby
1
Mourinho was Madrid first choice but Zidane return with smiles as real Madrid welcome him back with celebration. Mourinho lost Madrid job because the evil man committed haunt them around
Nooknopsy
0
florentino Perez is the leader of making bad choices
dont not believe what calderon said. he himself is a bad guy. using bribery to be president himself.
Wwm
0
I they took mumurinho, that means there wouldn't have any champion league spot for r.madrid
mumurinho can bring CL to RM but not mourinho [Crylaugh]
boombox
1
florentino Perez is the leader of making bad choices
Yedbdepuz
0
Without Mourinho, there would be no Champions League champions like Real Madrid.
Zidane didn't build the RM team that won three CL trophies. He benefited from the foundation work of previous managers including Mourinho. We will judge Zidane better during this second coming because the team is in decline and he has to do much ground work.
damadimrs
2
blocking Jose Mourinho from Real Madrid managers Ex president Calderon and Validano using weak side of Sergio Ramos stupidness and childish weak mind rallying and demonstration behind back dressing room and alleged Jose Mourinho on public media. Ramos well knew Jose Mourinho re-created and re-born him in Real Madrid became top class player and central defender. before Jose Mourinho All body knew Ramos not class player by his long long hair. Real Madrid more than five years stable strong team foundation base built by Jose Mourinho not Zinefine Zidane. Zidane has not capability of skill to build like Jose strong stable team. let you will see,Money alone not build strong stable team,
Veyast
0
I they took mumurinho, that means there wouldn't have any champion league spot for r.madrid
RichardSondashi
0
Bullshit! First choice of what? The first choice is the current real madrid manager!
Vibilpstu
2
Mourinho must go n start new coaching budget but his coaching methods av expired long fucking tym.
olamide2323
1
fizzbizzie
1
Mljrinho would definitely be a step back.. He mighrwintrophybut he eventually leaves them. With more problem. And he always leaves
fizzbizzie
0
Without Mourinho, there would be no Champions League champions like Real Madrid.
Like he ever won one. For. Them.. Zidane won. 3 in a row for them
Spencerer
2
Without Mourinho, there would be no Champions League champions like Real Madrid.
weepring
0
Real Madrid was the most efficient player in Mourinho's time, scoring with a few shots.
Turkeys
1
Mourinho does not need Real Madrid to prove himself.
moments
0
Mourinho would make Perisic the best winger in the world. In the first season at least
FCBneuer
0
Mourinho keeping himself sharp with his mindgame training routine. PSG job isn't too far away...
Yvetteharris
0
it must be so infuriating to be Mourinho. “Did Real Madrid give you any explanation?” Lmaoo id struggle to keep my cool at that point I hated when my neighbor doesn't tell me who she's dating. Mourinho to come back to management with a vengeance. The time off should do him good. That’s what I was hoping for when Chelsea fired him 😢
koalaal
1
These journos dont knwo the difference between asking provocative questions and acting like total fuckwits. Theres a way to phrase that line of questioning that is much more respectful AND get a better answer out of Jose.... i.e., was there any discussion with Madrid prior to Zidanes appointment? Or, if they came to you Jose, would you have been interested in a new project with Madrid? Etc