Real Madrid’s German internationals Mesut Ozil and Sami Khedira have both thanked former boss Jose Mourinho for his part in making them the players they are today.
The 50-year-old left the Bernabeu at the weekend after a turbulent season and confirmed a return to Chelsea on Monday afternoon.
Reports emerged in the closing months of the campaign that Mourinho had fallen out with a number of the playing staff at the Bernabeu, but Ozul and Khedira took to social media to publicly thank their old manager.
The pair were signed by Mourinho in 2010, shortly after he arrived at the club.
On his Facebook site, Ozil said: “Dear Jose Mourinho. Three years ago you took me to Real. In those three years you have taught me a lot and given me a lot of confidence.
“For this, I would like to thank you and wish you all the best in the future.”
Khedira also thanked Mourinho for the impact he had on his career and for looking after him during the tough times.
He stated: “He has always had my back, especially when I was attracting criticism from the press.
“I want to thank him. I was able to develop as a player under him at Real Madrid, and I have also matured as a person.”
