Sergio Ramos dismisses Jose Mourinho as 'just another coach' as mind games ramp up ahead of Super Cup

The pair enjoyed success during the Portuguese's three-year stay in the Spanish capital before Mourinho left Madrid under a cloud

Tuesday 08 August 2017 08:54 BST
Comments
Sergio Ramos worked with Jose Mourinho for three years at Real Madrid
Sergio Ramos worked with Jose Mourinho for three years at Real Madrid (AFP)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Sergio Ramos has dismissed Jose Mourinho as "just another coach" as the mind games took another step up ahead of the Super Cup between Manchester United and Real Madrid.

The pair enjoyed success during the Portuguese's three-year stay in the Spanish capital before Mourinho left Madrid under a cloud following high-profile disagreements with a number of first team players including Ramos.

Zinedine Zidane has gone on to deliver three Champions League titles in four years but Spanish international Ramos, appearing to initially take a more diplomatic tone in the press conference ahead of the game in Skopje, attempted to play down talk that his current boss is better than his old one.

"My view is that when a team has a coach it changes, every coach is different because if his system, tactics, and personality," he said. "One coach is not necessarily better than another. They are just different. Zizou was very good at understanding our dressing room as a former player. Maybe that gives him an advantage.

"One can look at the picture and draw different conclusions. I believe both are great coaches. We are lucky to be living this historical moment with Zizou."

But when pushed further Ramos went on the offensive suggesting that Mourinho had very little impact on his career despite famously helping him switch from right back to centre back where he has become one of the world's best.

"I don't think that changed my career at all," he added. "Mourinho was just another coach I worked with in my football career and I have always learnt from others, from when I was a youngster at Sevilla.

"So I am very, very grateful but I don't think Mourinho has changed my life in football at all."

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in