Simmering anger in the corridors of Real Madrid: a real danger threatens Mourinho

Spanish journalist Jorge Picon reckons "October was a cold month for Mourinho", noting that his return had led everyone to imagine that Real Madrid would take on a different look (from last season).

He continued: "He (Mourinho) was given freedom to take decisions, he was listened to regarding signings, and money was invested, based on his opinion, to strengthen the squad. That backing fed expectations which have today begun to fade."

Picon then pointed to the source of the unease: "The doubts stem from the upper management, not from the dressing room, where Mourinho still enjoys the support of his players."

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Bacon, who has previously worked for AS, Goal and Relevo, continued: "There are influential voices at Real Madrid who are not convinced by what they are seeing. They also did not like Diomande's absence from the starting line-up, or the change made to Arda Guler, which they considered inappropriate."

He stressed: "They expected this freedom in decision-making to translate into a clearer, more radical change. Yet there is a strong similarity with last season, in the style of play and in some of the decisions."

His verdict: "The enthusiasm that accompanied Mourinho's return has given way, among a section of the club's officials, to a more scrutinising outlook that demands results, and in some harsh cases, that sense of anticipation has turned into stinging arrows of criticism."

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