In an interview covered by AS, former Real Madrid player Antonio Cassano had harsh words for José Mourinho.
“Mourinho is just pure show. I have no idea how Mourinho achieves results. He was a great manager and communicator, but in the present day, this is no longer the case.”
Cassano is most well known for his time at AS Roma, where Mourinho currently manages. The Italian centre-forward scored 52 goals and registered 27 assists in 161 games for the Serie A club. He also won the Italian Supercup with Roma, an achievement which he later repeated during his stint at AC Milan, where he also won the league title.
Cassano was critical in his assessment of Mourinho’s abilities and interests.
“Mourinho doesn’t give a shit about football. People will look back at history, but let’s not deceive ourselves, Mourinho doesn’t know how to work, talk, or communicate football.”
Real Madrid signed the attacker from Roma in January of 2006, where he helped Los Blancos win the league that season. However, with only four goals and three assists over the following 18 months, he wasn’t convincing enough to earn himself a permanent stay at the club. Cassano went on loan to Sampdoria the following summer before making his move permanent the following season.
About the possibility of Real Madrid signing Mourinho to replace Ancelotti in the case he left, Cassano commented:
“If Real Madrid want a football manager, they shouldn’t call Mourinho. A casual non-league club would be more appropriate for him.”
The ex-Roma player used high praise for Lazio’s Maurizio Sarri.
“Sarri loves football and his job, while the other [Mourinho] doesn’t give a shit about football. He wins, makes changes, and he’s smart… Sarri plays marvelous football, while the other’s is dull.”
Nicolás Antúnez de Mayolo | GSFN
