Jose Mourinho's Real Madrid future questioned after 'harmful' comments

By SPORTSMAIL REPORTER
Updated: 06:49 EST, 4 May 2011

Jose Mourinho's future at Real Madrid has been questioned by the club's former president who believes the manager's recent antics have been 'harmful' to the La Liga outfit.

The Madrid boss courted controversy in the wake of last week's Champions League semi-final first-leg defeat to Barcelona by claiming, among a host of other barbed accusations, that the opposition received favourable treatment from UEFA.

Troubled times: Jose Mourinho has whipped up a storm with his comments about Barcelona

Mourinho was suspended for the return leg at the Nou Camp, which ended in a 1-1 draw to send Barca through to the final 3-1 on aggregate, and Ramon Calderon claims the actions of the Madrid boss cannot be condoned.

'I think what he did in terms of talking about UEFA and referees is not acceptable at all. It doesn't match with Real Madrid's history,' he told the BBC. 'I assume that he's a very, very good manager, but talking like that has been harmful for Real Madrid.'

Mourinho's outburst against UEFA and Barcelona has again called into question the temperament of the mercurial Portuguese, and Calderon is adamant that the world's top clubs and coaches must be able to take defeat with good grace.

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Criticism: Ramon Calderon is concerned by Mourinho's comments

'I think big clubs can never blame the referee for their defeats,' he said. 'I think the semi-final was over in the first match at the Bernabeu when we lost 2-0.

'We invested 450 million euros in the last two years to build a very important and strong team, so if you lose you can't blame injuries, bad luck, the referee...

'If you lose, you have to congratulate your rival.'

Mourinho's failure in the Champions League will almost certainly be followed by defeat in the La Liga title race - Barca lead by eight points with four games remaining - and Calderon insists it is by no means a certainty that the 48-year-old will stay on for another year at the Bernabeu.

'It is difficult to succeed here because people are very demanding,' he said. 'There's a lot of pressure here. He said he's going to [continue] in his position next year, but you never know.'