‘Ancelotti better than Mourinho’

Real Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas admits he rates Carlo Ancelotti higher than Jose Mourinho but insists he holds no grudges with his former Coach.

The Spain custodian was reportedly involved in a spat with the Portuguese midway through the 2012-13 season, culminating in his omission from Los Blancos’ XI for the remainder of the trainer’s spell at the club.

“Ancelotti [is better than Mourinho] because I never spoke to [Mourinho] in the dressing room," he said to Cadena Cope.

“I don’t think I need to talk [about him] when he’s coaching another team and I’m dedicating myself to my own. It would be a bit opportunistic and a little cowardly on my part.

“In his time at Real Madrid, he won titles so we must thank him for that. We don’t think about the Coaches of our past or what happened two seasons ago.

“[I have] no problem [with Mou]. Perhaps we looked away from each other last summer, but if I cross him tomorrow and offer him my hand, I think he’d take it. With him, I had a love-hate relationship.”

Xabi Alonso recently suggested that Manuel Neuer should win the 2014 FIFA Ballon d’Or ahead of his ex-Madrid teammate Cristiano Ronaldo – a claim which did not go down well with Casillas.

“I don’t care what Xabi Alonso says, it’s true. Everyone has an opinion. In recent years our relationship has not been adequate,” he added.

“Some people praise Xabi’s behaviour, others [praise] mine but that’s it. If Xabi has his opinion, mine is different.

“For me Xabi is a fantastic player who did a lot of good things for Real Madrid. Bayern surely will benefit from his quality.

“I’m not a saint, nor am I mole. I’m Iker Casillas and just trying to be in goal every weekend for Madri and trying to win titles because that’s the springboard for my selection.”

Tags Carlo Ancelotti Cristiano Ronaldo Iker Casillas Jose Mourinho Manuel Neuer Xabi Alonso
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