Jose Mourinho brands Cristiano Ronaldo a 'know-all': Chelsea manager's dig casts doubt on reunion

 
p71 28.02 Real Madrid's coach Jose Mourinho from Portugal, left, talks with Cristiano Ronaldo from Portugal during a Spanish La Liga soccer match against Deportivo de la Coruna at the Riazor stadium, in Coruna, Spain, Saturday, Feb. 23, 2013.

Jose Mourinho today appeared to signal the end of Chelsea’s pursuit of Cristiano Ronaldo as he revealed they fell out at Real Madrid because the striker was a “know-all”.

Chelsea, Manchester United and Paris St-Germain have all been looking at the Portugal international as Real’s failure to win major silverware last season and reports of divisions in the dressing room prompted speculation Ronaldo could leave.

But although Ronaldo hit new heights under Mourinho at Real, Chelsea’s new manager has cast doubt on a reunion as he admitted their relationship broke down towards the end of last season.

Asked in an interview with Spanish television show Punto Pelota why that happenend, Mourinho said the 28-year-old did not take criticism well.

“I had only one problem with him, very simple, very basic, which was when a coach criticises a player from a tactical viewpoint trying to improve what in my view could have been improved,” said Mourinho.

“And at that moment he didn’t take it very well because maybe he thinks he knows everything and the coach cannot help him to develop more.

“Cristiano has had three fantastic seasons with me, I don’t know if they were the best of his career because he had some fantastic moments with United. I think we created a fantastic situation for him tactically in which he could express all his potential and turn that into records and goals.”

Mourinho’s turbulent three-year Real reign ended on Saturday and he expects his successor to be Carlo Ancelotti, the former Chelsea manager who won Ligue 1 with PSG last season.

“It is better for all,” Mourinho said of Real’s fresh start. “They have support and a new project, with a new trainer, whoever it is. It seems to be Carlo to who I wish all the best.”

Meanwhile, Michael Essien today backed Mourinho to succeed in his second stint as Chelsea manager, insisting he is “the right man to take the club forward”.

Essien, who spent last season working with the Portuguese on loan at Real, has two years left on his contract at Stamford Bridge and claims he would be prepared to stay at the club should Mourinho need him.

“He is a great manager and everybody is happy to have him back,” Essien told Standard Sport. “Jose is the right man to take the club forward. It’s good for him to be here and we will see what happens. I have not spoken with Jose about my future yet so I will see if he wants me. When Mourinho wants me to do a job for him, I will do it.”

Although Mourinho has brought three of his back-room team to Chelsea — Rui Faria, Silvino Louro and Jose Morain — another, Aitor Karanka, will remain in Madrid.

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