According to multiple reports, 63-year-old José Mourinho is close to making a comeback at Real Madrid. However, 44-year-old Iker Casillas, a legendary goalkeeper for the club, is not pleased with the prospect. On Tuesday, the former captain took to social media to publicly voice his opposition to the club re-hiring the Portuguese coach.
Mourinho managed Real Madrid from 2010 to 2013, winning every major trophy except the UEFA Champions League. However, his final season was marred by a severe dressing-room crisis, with his feud with captain Casillas spilling into the open. Mourinho eventually dropped Casillas from the starting lineup.
The Portuguese tactician left the club in June 2013, with Casillas effectively emerging as the winner of that internal conflict. Casillas himself departed Real Madrid two years later and retired in 2019. Notably, after Casillas revealed his heart condition, Mourinho called him to offer support—a gesture Casillas appreciated.
Now, nearly 14 years later, Mourinho is reportedly on the verge of returning to the Bernabéu. Casillas is not enthusiastic about this development. On April 28, when rumors first emerged, he posted three popcorn emojis on social media, signaling his surprise.
On Tuesday, Casillas made his stance clear. “I have no personal issue with Mourinho. I think he is a very good coach, but I do not want him to coach Real Madrid. I believe there are other managers more suitable for this club, which is the club of my life. That is my personal opinion,” he wrote.
Casillas also commented on Florentino Pérez’s controversial press conference earlier this week. When asked whether he liked it, Casillas replied, “Yes, I did.”
