Ramos: Mourinho not leaving Madrid because of pressure

Real Madrid defender Sergio Ramos feels Jose Mourinho is "one of the best coaches in the world" and does not believe he left the club because of high pressure levels.

The Portuguese will leave the club at the end of the season following three years in the Spanish capital but will finish his final campaign without silverware.

Ramos believes the decision was a personal one and had nothing to do with the added expectation that comes with working for a big club like Madrid.

"I think Mourinho has a lot of experience in the world of football," 27-year-old told Sport. "I do not think pressure was a reason for him to make the decision to leave Real Madrid. Everyone chooses his future and is free to take their best route.

"I've always had good words for him because on a personal level, I have said and will continue to say, he's one of the best coaches in the world. He knows how to draw and squeeze the most out of each player and that is a virtue that he has transmitted to us from day one."