• La Liga

Barcelona label Mourinho a 'blight on Spanish football'

ESPN staff
May 21, 2013
Jose Mourinho and Barcelona endured a stormy relationship © PA Photos
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Barcelona vice-president Carles Vilarrubi has bid good riddance to Jose Mourinho after his three years at Real Madrid brought many controversial clashes with the Catalan club.

While senior Real Madrid figures have been keeping their own counsel on Mourinho's leaving the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu, Vilarrubi has offered his viewpoint.

Mourinho's first season brought the tumultuous four clasicos in 18 days of spring 2011, which saw him claim referees favoured Barca with the conspiracy reaching beyond UEFA as far as UNICEF.

There was also the infamous poke in the eye of then-Barca assistant coach Tito Vilanova at the beginning of the following season, and many other confrontations with blaugrana representatives including Pep Guardiola and Dani Alves.

Such polemics will live long in Catalan minds, and Villarubi told radio Catalunya on Monday night that the Special One's departure was a positive for the Spanish game.

"Mourinho has been a blight on Spanish football," he said. "His leaving is positive. A negative climate was generated."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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