Malicious Monday: Why was Jose Mourinho so eager to move on to Real Madrid? Oh right, he hated Italian calcio.

Posted By Eric Beard

Though Mourinho will forever love Internazionale, let’s all remember that he really wasn’t a huge fan of Italian calcio. “I am very happy at Inter but not in Italian football,” the former Chelsea coach told Sky Sports. Asked why, he said: “Because I don’t like it and it doesn’t like me, simple.”

Well, I suppose that’s why “The Special One” has reportedly agreed to a four-year contract with Real Madrid worth up to 40 million euros. To remind ourselves of the drama that can arise in your average Serie A match, here’s a classic clip of Mourinho arguing with a referee about a rash tackle on Mario Balotelli and then being dismissed. As one of Mourinho’s favourite strikers would say, this particular incident was “a disgrace.”

Anyway, there are no hard feelings between the club, the players, and Mourinho. Javier Zanetti, Inter’s captain, said, “Mourinho has brought professionalism and a winning mentality to the club. He has great merit and he is an unforgettable person. Mourinho is unique. No one can coach, motivate and communicate like he can.”

Mourinho said, “I want to become the only coach to win the Champions League with three different clubs,” said the man who won it in 2004 with Porto and now Inter. “I want new risks, new experiences. Perhaps I can win a third, fourth or fifth Champions League. I want to feel important, I want to keep winning.”

Is the Santiago Bernabeu the right place for Jose? I thought he was perfect for Italian calcio, so I’m not so sure about La Liga… What do you think?