Real Madrid midfielder Xabi Alonso has heaped praise on coach Jose Mourinho.

Mourinho's future at Real is in doubt.

"Yes, absolutely," he replied, when asked if Mourinho was still special.

"You see that Jose has something different. The way that he communicates with the players, it's different. The way he empathises with the players as well is different.

"That is why you want to be behind him, why you want to play and fight for him on the pitch. The players believe in him."