Rafael van der Vaart talked to talkSPORT2 about how his days were with José Mourinho when they both shared dressing room at the Real Madrid and his departure from the club to go to the Premier League.
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The 38-year-old ex-footballer had to leave the meringue entity when Mesut Ozil arrived as a stellar signing. According to him, the Portuguese coach was very sincere about his decision.
” Mourinho is an amazing coach. I had him for two seasons at Real Madrid. He’s an honest guy and I think almost every player who’s worked with him, doesn’t speak ill of him. That means he always protects his footballers ”, the Dutchman began by saying about his relationship with Mou.
About the conversation about his departure, Van der Vaart reveals it: ” At that moment he said to me, ‘Rafa, I’m going to buy from Ozil. So I think it’s best that you leave the club. If you stay, it’s okay too, but you’re too good to be on the bench. Try to go somewhere else ‘. And I went to Tottenham. ”
Finally, the former player ruled on the return of Bale to the Spurs after not being taken into account in the Real Madrid.
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” I’m glad he’s back, but I’m happier than he’s doing now because I think he’s a great player. He did a lot for Real Madrid and he deserved what he is receiving now and I hope he continues like this, ” he said.
Van der Vaart was player of the set meringue during two campaigns (2008-09 and 2009-10), where it disputed a total of 75 parties and it marked in 12 occasions.
After leaving Madrid, Rafa left for Tottenham for two years later go to Hamburg and then 2015 return to Spain for military al Betis. Her career ended in 2017 with the FC Midtjylland of Denmark.