Mourinho to leave Real Madrid at season end

Updated: 2013-05-21 17:49

(Xinhua)

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Mourinho to leave Real Madrid at season end

Real Madrid's coach Jose Mourinho concentrates before the start of their Spanish King's Cup final soccer match against Atletico Madrid at Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid May 17, 2013. [Photo/Agencies]

MADRID - Jose Mourinho's three-year term as coach of Spanish BBVA Primera Liga club Real Madrid will end on June 30, it was confirmed this Monday.

Club President Florentino Perez confirmed the news at a press conference held at 8 pm local time in the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium following a meeting of the club's Board of Directors.

Despite having a contract with the club until the end of June 2016, Mourinho will abandon the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium after winning just one Copa del Rey (2011), one League title (2012) and the Spanish Supercup at the start of the current campaign.

Perez said the club had "reached agreement with Mourinho to finalize our relationship," and then thanked him for his three years in charge and his "dedication to Real Madrid, in which we have taken a leap forward in sporting terms."

The announcement comes just three days after Real Madrid were beaten 2-1 in by local rivals Atletico Madrid in the final of the Spanish Copa del Rey, which was held in Bernabeu on Friday night. It was the first time Atletico have defeated Real Madrid in 14 years and many blamed Mourinho's team selection on the defeat.

Mourinho continued with Diego Lopez in goal ahead of Spain and Madrid captain, Iker Casillas, while Raul Albiol played in central defense ahead of Pepe, who was has not played since publically saying Casillas deserved respect.

Mourinho was also sent off in the game, and along with Cristiano Ronaldo, who was also sent off, is thought to have upset his club President by his decision not to accept his runners-up medal from King Juan Carlos of Spain.

These are the latest in a series of controversies which have blighted Mourinho's time at Real Madrid, among which were his aggression against current FC Barcelona coach, Tito Vilanova in the final of the 2012 Supercup.

Mourinho walked up behind Vilanova, who at that time was assistant coach and stuck his finger in his eye, for which he was given a four game ban.

The coach also had incidents, such as confronting referee, Teixeira Vitienes in the car park of the Camp Nou Stadium after his side had been knocked out of the 2012 Spanish Cup by Barcelona, or his decision to challenge the crowd to boo him ahead of the league game at home to Atletico Madrid earlier this season.

Meanwhile he has had a difficult relationship with referees in Spain, publically criticizing them on occasions over decisions which have gone against his side.

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