Barcelona stars Xavi Hernandez and Gerard Pique have aimed a parting shot at former Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho, saying his management style and behaviour was bad for Spanish football in general.
The two players, currently away with their national side as they prepare for the Confederations Cup, said Mourinho took the intense rivalry between Los Blancos and Barcelona too far – playing it out in the press rather than on the football pitch.
Speaking to Sport newspaper, Xavi said now Mourinho has left he hopes Real Madrid adopt a philosophy seen previous to the Portuguese manager.
“We’ve won, drawn and lost, but always according to a footballing philosophy. The result is an impostor; it goes beyond winning and losing. Their style of play annoyed me to see them play like that as they had an idea and a concept before. Zinedine Zidane, Roberto Carlos – they were incredible,” he stated.
Pique added: “Mourinho took this rivalry into press conferences, but football is played on the pitch and you must try to win with the weapons you have.
“This sort of rivalry through the press is something that had never been seen before in Spain. He wanted to take over the press.”
