Malaga mayor hits back at Mourinho jibes
Reuters - Thursday 03 March 2011, 16:59
MADRID - The mayor of the Spanish city of
Malaga has hit back at Jose Mourinho after the Real Madrid coach
said on Wednesday that if he was fired he would never coach
Malaga but would go to a big club in England or Italy.
Mourinho was referring to Malaga's Chilean coach Manuel
Pellegrini, whom he replaced at Real at the end of last season
after leading Inter Milan to a treble of European Champions
League and Italian league and cup.
Pellegrini returns to the Bernabeu for the first time since
he was sacked when Malaga play Real later on Thursday and city
mayor Francisco de la Torre said he would be delighted if his
team upset the La Liga giants.
"With those statements he (Mourinho) wanted to affect
Pellegrini, hurt his feelings as a coach and also indirectly the
Malaga players, but it seems to me an error of judgment," De la
Torre was quoted as saying in local media.
Mourinho had been "clumsy" and his behaviour had not done
Real Madrid any favours, De la Torre said.
"I would be delighted if we beat Real Madrid, it would give
me more pleasure than ever," he added.
The outspoken Mourinho has ruffled feathers since he arrived
in the Spanish capital.
He has repeatedly complained about La Liga referees, clashed
with Real Director General Jorge Valdano and accused those who
set the match calendar of favouring Barca.
Pellegrini refused to rise to Mourinho's bait, telling a
news conference it was an honour to coach Malaga, especially as
he had been given the task of saving the Andalusian club from
relegation.
"Everyone has their way of behaving," he said. "I did not
hear or read what he (Mourinho) said, nor will I reply.
"I know what it means to coach Real Madrid. Last year we
tried our best, respecting the values of the institution."