Former Real Madrid president Ramon Calderon is adamant successor Florentino Perez wanted to appointment Jose Mourinho this week ahead of Zinedine Zidane.

Zidane returned to Real on Monday after the dismissal of Santiago Solari. But Calderon insists former Manhester United boss Mourinho was the man Florentino wanted.

He told Idolos: "The first option was Mourinho. The Portuguese had to come to Real, because he is the only coach that the president respects.

"Florentino sees the Portuguese as a shield. He is the only one to say what no one dares to publicly declare, to blame the referees, the journalists, whoever they are.

"Zidane received a first call and refused because he had left nine months earlier and had to preserve his image."