Ultras Sur tribute, Casillas and Cristiano in stands: Mourinho’s last Bernabéu game and return | OneFootball

José Mourinho’s final night at the Bernabéu featured an Ultras Sur send-off, leading names in the stands and a self-imposed silence. He returns this evening as Real Madrid face Real Sociedad at 21.00.

On one June 2013 Madrid beat Osasuna 4-2, with Higuaín, Essien, Benzema and Callejón scoring, and for all but the Frenchman it doubled as a farewell. According to El Periódico Mediterráneo, Ultras Sur, later removed from their privileged spot, honoured Mourinho with a plaque and choreographed banners.

Iker Casillas, Cristiano Ronaldo and Pepe were left out of that final squad, some absences were put down to niggles. A rift with Casillas had strained ties with other heavyweights, including his once-loyal compatriots, and in his Netflix documentary he reflects that everyone was fed up with everyone.

Mourinho skipped the press conference and had already kept two weeks of silence after the 1-2 Copa del Rey loss to Atlético, with his exit agreed and announced two days later by Florentino Pérez. He was sent off in that final and admitted failure after a poor season that yielded only the Spanish Super Cup. Pérez even considered sacking him immediately, then stepped back to avoid deepening divisions.

He did not bid farewell to the broader support, only to the ultras. The radicals will not be there tonight, and none of those players remain. Pérez endures, and many fans greet his return with a mix of hope and doubt.

Mourinho has not even occupied the visiting bench here since, months ago with Benfica he was suspended and watched from the team bus despite a press box space being prepared.

On the eve he said he does not seek a special reception and wants supporters to back the team, acknowledging last season ended badly and affection wavered, a nod to banners against Pérez and whistles for Vinícius, Tchouaméni and especially the substitute Mbappé. He added that the team’s commitment matters, he is not important, he can control his emotions, and he wants the players to feel something different this time.

Source: El Periódico Mediterráneo

“Artificial intelligence was used to assist in creating this article based on reporting from the original source quoted.”