Real Madrid: why José Mourinho has enormous hatred for FC Barcelona

Manu Tournoux explores the roots of Real Madrid manager José Mourinho's long-standing animosity toward FC Barcelona ahead of their upcoming El Clasico clash at Camp Nou. The piece traces their shared history back to 1996, when Mourinho served as an assistant to Bobby Robson and later worked under subsequent staffs. Despite wanting to become the club's head coach, Barcelona passed over him, notably appointing Pep Guardiola instead in 2008.

According to Tournoux, this rejection and contentious Champions League clashes fueled Mourinho's aggressive tactics, including referee complaints and the infamous 2011 altercation with Tito Vilanova. Following his return to Real Madrid, Mourinho has continued aiming barbs at Barcelona, though some fans reportedly feel he uses these tensions to distract from the team's current challenges.