People hated Real Madrid when Mourinho was coach – Pepe

Real Madrid defender, Pepe, has claimed the club was “hated” during Jose Mourinho’s stint as manager.

Mourinho spent three years in charge of the La Liga club between 2010 and 2013, during which he clashed with club captain, Iker Casillas and some other players including Pepe.

“Under Mourinho, people hated us when we got out there,” Pepe told Cadena Ser.

“It lasted three years and thank God it went very quickly. Things changed when [Carlo] Ancelotti came in, you could see people started treating us different again.”

Pepe says he enjoys working with current Madrid boss, Zinedine Zidane and has gotten over anything that happened in the past.

“What happened with Mourinho is in the past now,” he said. “I was strong and got over it. I maintained my high level at Madrid.

“Mourinho and Zidane are very different, one could say they are opposites. But it’s not like one is bad and the other is good.

“Mourinho has a lot of experience as a coach, with great clubs and players. Zidane has only just started in La Liga last year. But he has played at the highest level himself and always knows what’s expected on the pitch.

“Zidane has been a player and knows what we think. He had a brilliant career at Madrid, so understands what the pressure is like here.”