Isco in the doghouse over pet Messi

 

Real Madrid officially announced the arrival of Isco on Wednesday but the 21-year-old may get a few scornful glances from his new team-mates if he ever brings his dog to training.

It had been revealed that the midfielder's dog is named after Lionel Messi and the Spain Under-21 star insists it will remain that way - despite signing for Real Madrid.

"I also had another dog called Figo. It's just an anecdote," Isco said.

"I'm not going to change my dog's name from Messi now because if I did, he would ignore me." 

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Casillas reduced to tears by Mourinho

 

Barcelona star Andres Iniesta was one of many to be glad to see the back of Jose Mourinho when the former Real Madrid coach departed Spain for a return to Chelsea.

But one player much closer to home was even happier for the Special One to exit the Bernabeu this summer.

Iker Casillas lost his place to Diego Lopez after an injury, and found himself sat on the substitute's bench over a difficult period which he admits reduced him to tears.

"I've cried," Casillas told the Fifa website. "I've suffered, I've been unwell, I've had sleepless nights."

With Mourinho gone, however, the Spain international - who is closing in on a Confederations Cup final appearance - believes he is a new man.

He continued: "I have regained happiness. It was not easy but I'm another Iker Casillas now.

"After five months, it takes some time until everything comes back to you, but, luckily, I have had a great deal of help of my team-mates and coach [Vicente del Bosque] and that's important when it comes to having to start over again." 

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Ancelotti in the driving seat at Real Madrid

 

Carlo Ancelotti has been unveiled as Real Madrid head coach on Wednesday after a short and successful spell in charge of Paris Saint-Germain.

Ancelotti replaces Jose Mourinho, who 'damaged' La Liga, according to several figures in Spanish football, including Barcelona midfielder Andres Iniesta.

Club president Florentino Perez insists Mourinho did not sully the image of the Bernabeu side during his stint in Madrid.

"I always give the example of F1, Ferrari does not always win, but they are the team that everybody knows," Perez said. "In football, that brand is Real Madrid."

But it is now Ancelotti who takes the driving seat. 

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Casillas' birthday wish comes true as Mourinho leaves Madrid

 

And so the Special One finally departs the Bernabeu. What better day to do it on than the birthday of club captain, and feud-er in chief, Iker Casillas?

The pair had a rocky relationship this season, with Casillas' Spain team-mate and Barcelona rival Xavi lambasting Mourinho for his "terrible" treatment of the keeper.

But late on Monday, Real Madrid announced that they were parting company with Mourinho by mutual consent, and the manager is set to join Chelsea within the next two weeks.

So, happy birthday to Iker Casillas, who got exactly what he might have wished for. 

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Goodbye Bernabeu! Mourinho welcomed back at the Bridge

 

Jose Mourinho gave the biggest indication yet that he is set to leave Real Madrid at the end of the season after watching is side suffer elimination from the Champions League to Borussia Dortmund on Tuesday night.

"I know I'm loved in England," Mourinho said after Madrid won 2-0, but were beaten 4-3 on aggregate by the Bundesliga side. "Loved by the fans, the media. I know I'm loved by some clubs - especially one."

Goal.com understands the Special One has agreed a deal to return to Chelsea, with Falcao set to follow him to Stamford Bridge.

And while Branislav Ivanovic has admitted the Blues 'cannot wait' for Mourinho to return, the likes of Sergio Ramos and Iker Casillas might be pleased to see the back of him at the Bernabeu.
 

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Mourinho tries to make his birthday wish come true

 

Jose Mourinho doesn't seem to be enjoying himself in Spain at the moment!

Not only are his Real Madrid side all but certain to surrender the Liga title due to languishing so far behind Barcelona, but earlier this week Madrid daily Marca reported that Iker Casillas and Sergio Ramos have threatened to leave Santiago Bernabeu in the summer if their boss is allowed to remain.

But it's not all bad for the Special One. Club president Florentino Perez has come out and backed his coach until the summer, which left Mourinho free to celebrate his 50th birthday on Saturday with some degree of peace, and contemplate how to salvage a turbulent season by winning the third Champions League crown of a stellar coaching career. 

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Perez's picture perfect Real Madrid masks the reality in Mourinho war

 

Life at Real Madrid is rarely dull and so it proved again this week as Jose Mourinho's men hogged the headlines once more.
Reports earlier in the week claimed that there were deep divisions within the squad, with players telling supremo Florentino Perez that he had to choose between them and Mourinho.

The president quickly called a press conference where he insisted all was well in the Spanish capital while Sergio Ramos and Iker Casillas released a statement supporting their coach, for now at least.

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