Mourinho reflects on the Negreira case and his “bad luck” with referees

José Mourinho says he witnessed the most important stages of the Negreira case at Real Madrid. In an interview, the Portuguese coach also defended his relationship with referees, which he believes has been marked by bad luck. His remarks came after the Merengues’ 2-1 defeat in the derby, a match in which he discussed his dealings with officials.

“I don’t think the problem comes from me. The problem is the bad luck I have when I arrive at a certain club,” he said of his relationship with referees.

Mourinho also discussed his time at Real Madrid and the Negreira case: “Here at Real Madrid, I lived through the important period of the Negreira case. Nobody knew about it, but we lived through it. It happened.” He added that after his departure, everyone was now aware of the case. In Turkey, he said, he had already encountered this kind of situation often following a major scandal in the country.

The coach also described the circumstances surrounding a possible return to Real Madrid. In his account, speculation began before there had been any contact, while he was at Benfica and happy there. He called Benfica a special club for him, ten minutes from his home, a situation he had not experienced for twenty years. He said he initially dismissed the talk as a rumour, despite believing the club needed radical change and expecting to stay under a three-year contract.

Mourinho also addressed the incident involving Prestianni and Vinícius. He called it a very sensitive and difficult episode, saying Prestianni was ultimately suspended, but not for racism. Mourinho said he had been targeted by public opinion and many opportunists in a situation that, in his view, had become completely uncontrollable. On the underlying issue, he noted that one player denied the allegation and that nobody had proof it was true, describing the two young men involved as outstanding and exemplary.

Finally, he recalled the rumours concerning Real Madrid: the club had changed coaches midway through the season, and Arbeloa then arrived. Mourinho says nobody told him anything and that he did not believe the reports could be real.