Audio By Carbonatix
Real Madrid have announced that head coach Jose Mourinho will leave the club at the end of the season after three years in charge of the Spanish giants.
President Florentino Perez revealed the decision at a packed news conference.
Mourinho, 50, who has been linked with a return to Chelsea, won the league and Copa del Rey at Madrid.
"We've decided to bring our relationship to an end," said Perez. "Nobody's been sacked, it's a mutual agreement."
Real are currently 13 points behind Barcelona in the league and were beaten by city rivals Atletico in the Spanish Cup final last Friday.
They also lost in the semi-finals of the Champions League in each of their three seasons under Mourinho.
"The club and manager agree the timing is right to bring our relationship to an end," Perez added.
"On behalf of the board of directors, I would like to thank Jose Mourinho for all his hard work.
"The team has improved in his three years and we wish him all the best."
Real had not won a trophy in the two years preceding Mourinho's appointment.
His deal was scheduled to run until 2016 after he had signed a contract extension following last season's La Liga success.
An agreement has been made on his exit now though, with fellow former Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti tipped to replace him after he expressed his desire to make the switch to the Bernabeu.
But Perez denied a replacement had been lined up to take over from Mourinho.
"We have no pre-contract signed with any managerial candidate," he said.
"It's something we'll have to look at in the coming days."
Paris St-Germain head coach Ancelotti, 53, had earlier said: "I've asked to leave and I am waiting for their answer."
But the Ligue 1 champions' Qatari president Nasser al-Khelaifi said: "He [Ancelotti] asked to depart for Real Madrid. It is not possible because he has a contract for one year more, so that is our decision."
Real have only two league games left to play this season, with Mourinho set to be in charge as he takes his team to the Basque region to face Champions League hopefuls Real Sociedad on Sunday, before ending the campaign with the visit of relegation-threatened Osasuna on 1 June.
It is his failure to win any trophies this season which appears to have accelerated his departure from Madrid - the Portuguese labelling this season "the worst of my career".
Former Benfica, Uniao de Leiria and Porto boss Mourinho left Inter Milan for Real in 2010 after guiding the Italians to the Champions League crown, replacing Manuel Pellegrini as manager.
He finished second in La Liga in his first season - four points behind Barcelona - but won the title a year later, amassing a record 100 points in the process.
However, this season Mourinho has cast a sulky figure, arguing with established players such as Iker Casillas, Sergio Ramos and Pepe, while Barcelona sauntered to the title.
In this season's Copa del Rey final defeat by neighbours Atletico, Mourinho was sent from the dugout for protesting a referee's decision while, in April, his side were ruthlessly outclassed by Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League. Following that exit, he hinted at a return to Chelsea.
"I know in England I am loved," he said. "I know I am loved by some clubs, especially one."
Mourinho won two consecutive Premier League titles during his three-year spell at Chelsea, which ended in September 2007, also lifting the League Cup twice and the FA Cup once.
During his tenure at Stamford Bridge, Mourinho won 124 of his 185 games in charge - including a 60-game unbeaten run at home in the league before surprisingly leaving the club in September 2007.
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Tags:
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Latest Stories
-
Atta Akyea says AG’s position supports Wontumi’s no-case submission argument
3 minutes -
Ghana seeks stronger economic partnership with Egypt ahead of 70 years of diplomatic relations
3 minutes -
Atta Akyea disputes judge’s conclusions on evidence in Wontumi illegal mining case
4 minutes -
North East Regional Minister inspects development projects, warns conflict-prone communities
7 minutes -
Wontumi is not a political prisoner but common convict – Inusah Fuseini
10 minutes -
Wontumi not a political prisoner; court’s ruling was fair and square – Prof Appiagyei Atua
11 minutes -
Wontumi case: We can’t run an ambulance justice system – Atta Akyea
30 minutes -
Atta Akyea: Court of Appeal must review judge’s interpretation of mining assignment in Wontumi Case
42 minutes -
Justice hasn’t gotten a political term of 4 years – Atta Akyea raises concerns over Wontumi prosecution
53 minutes -
No Saturday sitting: Parliament to adjourn indefinitely on July 31
60 minutes -
Court orders extradition of Abu Trica’s alleged accomplice to US over $8m romance scam
1 hour -
There seems to be an indecent haste to prosecute political cases – Atta Akyea criticises Wontumi trial
1 hour -
Wontumi case: Justice should not be measured by the number of people jailed – Atta Akyea
1 hour -
Vice President assures Ghanaian diaspora of steady economic recovery, calls for support
1 hour -
Okada rider allegedly drives motorbike key into man’s skull during fight over passenger
1 hour