Speculation is rife again about the future of Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho following his side’s controversial defeat in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final with arch-rivals Barcelona. Mourinho said he was “disgusted to live in this world” following Real’s 2-0 defeat at the Bernabeu in which their Portuguese international Pepe was shown a straight red card by German referee Wolfgang Stark following a challenge on Barcelona defender Dani Alves. Mourinho is now no bigger than 5/4 with sportingbet to be in charge of Real at the start of the season, even though he’s barely 12 months into a three-year contract.
In the wake of Pepe’s dismissal, a seething Mourinho was sent to the stands by the referee and an ill-tempered match deteriorated even further when Barca reserve goalkeeper Jose Pinto was also shown a red card following a scuffle as the teams went down the tunnel at half-time. In the post-match press conference, a clearly still angry Mourinho hit out at the match officials and again made claims that Barcelona’s opponents aren’t getting a fair rub of the green in big matches. Real have now had a player sent off in each of the four matches they’ve played against Barca this season, though they did beat Pep Guardiola‘s team in the Copa Del Rey final.
Mourinho, who is looking to become the first coach to conquer Europe with three different teams having already won the Champions League with Porto and Inter, has never been one to shy away from controversy and much of what he says in the heat of the moment has to be taken with a pinch of salt. But ‘The Special One’ may have gone too far this time and Barcelona are considering taking legal action against the former Chelsea manager regarding his comments about the Catalans receiving preferential treatment. They were, of course, embroiled in controversy in 2009 when Norwegian referee Tom Ovrebo made a string of contentious decisions which denied Chelsea a place in the Champions League final. Real players Cristiano Ronaldo and Xabi Alonso have already spoken out in support of thei coach but Mourinho is only 2/1 with Skybet to be managing in the Premier League next season. Barcelona are now 8/15 favourites to win the Champions League with Paddy Power and likely final opponents Manchester United are 15/8 with Boylesports.
