Real Madrid back Mourinho’s decision to skip press conference after win vs Villarreal

According to a report by Madrid Universal on Sunday October 11, 2026, Real Madrid have backed Jose Mourinho’s decision to skip his post-match press conference following the club’s 1-0 victory over Villarreal in La Liga on Saturday.

According to reports, as reported by Madrid Xtra, the Portuguese manager decided against speaking to the media because he was concerned that his frustration with the refereeing decisions could lead to a suspension.

Mourinho reportedly wanted to avoid any disciplinary action that could prevent him from managing Real Madrid from the touchline during their upcoming matches against Sevilla and Barcelona.

“I’m not going to speak because I want to be on the bench against Sevilla and Barcelona,” the manager reportedly explained to those around him after the game.

Real Madrid secured all three points against Villarreal thanks to Yan Diomande’s second-half goal. However, the match was overshadowed by controversial refereeing decisions that left Mourinho and several members of the club frustrated.

The most contentious incident involved Vinicius Junior, who was sent off after pulling Villarreal defender Nathan Saliba’s hair.

The Brazilian also saw a goal disallowed following a VAR review during the same move, further intensifying the controversy surrounding the decision.

Mourinho had already expressed his dissatisfaction with refereeing during Real Madrid’s recent derby defeat to Atletico Madrid, when he used printed images to highlight decisions he believed had gone against his team.

The events against Villarreal added to his frustration, but the manager ultimately chose to remain silent rather than risk further disciplinary consequences.

Real Madrid’s reported support for the decision reflects the importance of the fixtures approaching on the club’s calendar.

Mourinho’s team are scheduled to face Sevilla before taking on Barcelona in what promises to be a crucial El Clasico encounter later this month.

The Portuguese manager will be keen to have his full presence on the touchline for both matches, particularly with the team looking to improve its performances and maintain its position in the La Liga title race.

His next scheduled media appearance was expected to take place on Tuesday, ahead of Real Madrid’s Champions League meeting with Roma. Mourinho could face questions about the Villarreal match during that press conference, although he may choose to avoid discussing the refereeing controversy in detail.

Beyond the dispute with the officials, Real Madrid still have several footballing issues to address.

Despite securing a narrow victory, the team has struggled at times to progress the ball through midfield and create clear attacking opportunities. Mourinho will need to find solutions to those problems as he prepares his players for a demanding run of fixtures.

Vinicius’ potential suspension also presents another challenge. Should the Brazilian miss the Clasico, Mourinho may have to reconsider his attacking options, with Diomande among the possible alternatives on the left flank.

Arda Guler could also be considered for a more central creative role, depending on the tactical adjustments the manager decides to make.

For now, Mourinho’s priority appears to be keeping his focus on the team and ensuring that he remains available for the matches that could significantly influence Real Madrid’s season.

Although the victory over Villarreal provided an important result, the manager will know that his side must improve its performances if it hopes to compete consistently at the highest level.

AllAboutSports feedback-opera-news-app@opera.com