Luka Modrić
January 2026

Luka Modrić has named Jose Mourinho as the toughest manager he worked under, claiming Mourinho’s intensity once reduced Cristiano Ronaldo to tears in the Real Madrid dressing room. Modrić described Mourinho as the strictest coach of his career. Modrić recalled arriving at Real in 2012 under Mourinho and experiencing a demanding environment despite a squad packed with stars. He contrasted that period with later trophy-heavy seasons under other managers, but singled out Mourinho’s edge and pressure as unmatched.