Jose Mourinho has hit back at criticism he received from retired striker Antonio Cassano.
Following reports linking Mourinho with a return to Real Madrid, Cassano said the legendary coach was just 'cinema' and claimed he 'doesn't give a s*** about football'.
Carlo Ancelotti, the current Los Blancos boss, is under contract until the end of the 2023-24 season - when Mourinho's deal in the Italian capital also expires.
Mourinho has now responded to Cassano's attack, as he said in a press conference: 'Everyone is free to have their preferences and make their criticism, but when talking about others, like Antonio does, it's different,' said the Special One in a press conference.
'Some of us work in football, he just wants to enjoy himself. Cassano played for Roma, for Inter and for Real Madrid.
'In Madrid he is only remembered for his jacket. With Roma he won a Supercoppa without playing. At Inter he didn't even manage the Lombardy Cup in a friendly.'
Cassano signed for Real in 2006 but failed to have much of an impact at the club amid rows with manager Fabio Capello, Mourinho's 'jacket' jibe was a reference to a flashy outfit worn by the striker for his unveiling in Madrid.
The 'Special One' continued: 'You know what I won with Inter, Real Madrid and Roma. He might have a problem with me, I do not have a problem with him.
'I will tell Cassano just one thing: careful Antonio, for you are 40 years old and I am 60, at times Marko Livaja types turn up and then it gets tough.'
If Mourinho does return to the Bernabeu, it will be a chance to improve on a first spell at the club that yielded only moderate success.
He managed Los Blancos from 2010-2013, a spell that coincided with the peak of Pep Guardiola's Barcelona, and won just three trophies with the club.
The 60-year-old's resume as a whole is impressive though, as he boasts eight league titles and two Champions League wins.
Mourinho is also the only manager to win a major European trophy with four different clubs, with his Europa Conference League victory with Roma adding to trophies picked up with Porto, Inter Milan and Manchester United.
Jekaemrz
492
José never disappoints...can stop smilin
Javimor
487
Mourinho just gave him the best response 😅😃
M¹N²
480
he is a great coach we can't deny that, nowadays people who did not do anything try to criticize the best ones....let's respect Mourinho
fepademoty
449
The special one, don't mind Cassano who won a trophy without playing for it. you have won in Porto, Chelsea, Inter Milan, Real Madrid, Manchester- u and Roma. There is no country that you have played in without winning a trophy. Bravo, you are really the special one.
wohelsty
252
Jose will always remain a hero and the special one. Hate him or like him. Jose remains a serial trophy winner.
Hashira
206
I like Mourinho... He doesn't take nonsense from hateful individuals. That Cassano guy came for Ronaldo but Cr7 ignored the bastard
MaxwellKyeremeh
200
I will tell Cassano just one thing: careful Antonio, for you, are 40 years old and I am 60, at times Marko Livaja types turn up and then it gets tough.' Well-spoken Jose 🤫❤️
fiwelmpuyz
165
thanks to Mourinho for reminding this full of his failure. He always criticized individuals who were successful in football and forgot that he had nothing good to write home about when it comes to football.
Enesi13
74
Mourinho is in a class of his own, it is just unfortunate that a player whom despite playing for the finest teams of his time couldn't make a name for himself would have the audacity to publicly loathe a coach who has won it all. cassano should first learn to show respect, then learn to shut up.