Jose Mourinho: 'Coaching Cristiano Ronaldo was the highlight of my career'

Portuguese pair worked together at Real Madrid between 2010 and 2013

James Orr
Wednesday 13 November 2013 10:02 EST
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Jose Mourinho gives Cristiano Ronaldo instructions in Real Madrid's 2-1 victory at Manchester United last season
Jose Mourinho gives Cristiano Ronaldo instructions in Real Madrid's 2-1 victory at Manchester United last season (GETTY IMAGES)

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European cups and league titles move aside – Jose Mourinho claims that coaching Cristiano Ronaldo was the highlight of his career.

The Portuguese pair worked together at Real Madrid between 2010 and 2013, winning La Liga in 2012, but their relationship became strained towards the end of Mourinho’s time at the Bernabeu.

“Coaching him was the highlight of my career," the Chelsea manager told Portuguese sports paper A Bola. "He's the most professional player I've ever met.

"A coach and player may have their differences at a given time, but it ends there. I don't have any problem."

Ronaldo scored 120 goals for the club playing under Mourinho, but the manager previously revealed this summer why their relationship broke down - Ronaldo thinks “he knows everything”.

"I had only one problem with him, very simple, very basic" he said.

"When a coach criticises a player from a tactical viewpoint trying to improve what in my view could have been improved. And at this moment he didn't take it very well because maybe he thinks he knows everything and the coach cannot help him to develop anymore."

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