Iker Casillas finally offered his detailed version of what really happened at Real Madrid when his relationship with Jose Mourinho turned sour and immediately became the main talking point in the Spanish press.
The Madridismo icon picked up an injury in a Copa del Rey game against Valencia in January 2012. This led to then-coach Mourinho to sign Diego Lopez as a replacement. From there, Casillas was relegated to the bench.
Things escalated quickly. Los Blancos ended the year without a single trophy and their outspoken manager left Spain to return to Chelsea. Under Carlo Ancelotti, Casillas gradually found back his place in the team by featuring in both the Champions League and the Copa del Rey whereas Diego Lopez featured in La Liga.
The latter joined AC Milan during the summer transfer window, following the arrival of Keylor Navas and Iker Casillas’ restoration as Real Madrid’s first-choice keeper in all competitions. In a deep encounter with Inaki Gabilondo of Canal+, the Spanish veteran made interesting revelations – most of which referred to Jose Mourinho.
Below are excerpts of Casillas’ statements.
On Jose Mourinho’s claim that Iker Casillas was a “traitor” for leaking private information to the press through Sara Carbonero:
“In this country, which has a thousand positive things, there are also bad things. Amongst those bad things is envy. It is true that a few months ago everything was grim. I was to blame for everything. I was the biggest problem that everyone wanted to get rid of. It’s as if I was the plague.
“[…] During Jose Mourinho’s time at Real Madrid, it was good for us. I will always think of it that way. We closed the gap on Barcelona for a while and things were good, in the first season.
“In the last season, they were not so good. I have the utmost respect for my coaches but when something goes on you should not discuss it, you should respect your boss.”
On the idea of confronting Mourinho during the Lopez-Casillas saga:
“Perhaps, I should have talked… but I opted for silence. Many have criticized me for keeping my mouth shut. I think what angers me the most is that the people thought I didn't care.
“We [Mourinho and I] didn't have a good relationship and that's it. I decided to shut up. I am not accusing anyone of anything. I am not accusing anyone of leaving bad things at the club.”
On rumours that he teamed up with Sergio Ramos to have Mourinho sacked:
“When we speak with the president, it's about the dressing room. We didn't speak about Mourinho.
“For me, Mourinho was one of the two best managers I have had; daring, with character. Then it came out that we pressured him to leave. That was false.”
On fans booing him for conceding so many goals at the start of the season, following a terrible World Cup 2014 adventure with Spain:
“It hurts. I have been here since I was nine years old. I have achieved many things with this club and it has been a springboard to the national team for me. The public is free to do what it wants but it also hurts. Being here for so long also means that I have to accept certain things.”
On transfer speculations:
“Yes, I had thought about leaving. You do not want to disturb or create a bad environment because you always want Real Madrid to win. But then you think that you have to compete and fight.
“These last two years have seen me fight and seen me struggle. There were no offers for me. I want to finish my career here.
“It is my home. I feel like I was raised here. You do not understand what my life would be without Madrid.”
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