C an you imagine Rex Ryan sending the Jets’ defensive coordinator out to brief the New York press in advance of a big game? Well, that’s essentially what Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho did before his team’s 1-1 draw with Barcelona, having assistant Aitor Karanka take to the dais in his stead. Some members of the Spanish press were not amused, and many of them refused to play along. Mourinho felt the press had disrespected his assistant, so when the game was over and a writer from AS asked a question, Mourniho turned the table and said, “Are you the director of AS? If not, I can’t reply. According to your philosophy, if you won’t speak to my number two, I will speak only to the directors.”
The Telegraph said his “transparent intention” was to shift the focus and pressure away from his team and onto himself. Rex Ryan would be proud.