Mourinho to make Real exit?

Real Madrid's coach Jose Mourinho has failed to appear at a scheduled news conference ahead of his side's Copa del Reyes match against Levante.

Mourinho's assistant Aitor Karanka instead faced the media and insisted there was no rift between the Portuguese and the club's sporting director Jorge Valdano.

Mourinho, who has demanded backing from the club over his complaints against perceived refereeing injustices following a scrappy 1-0 home win over Sevilla, told a news conference he would ask for a private meeting with club president Florentino Perez.

Mourinho waved a piece of paper listing 13 supposed errors by Carlos Clos Gomez at Sunday's post-match news conference.

Mourinho's comments have prompted speculation in the Spanish media over the coach's relationship with Valdano.

Karanka said: "The coach has no personal differences with anyone at the club. I think that, as in any other place, they may have different points of view agreeing in some and disagreeing in others."

Karanka said the club is united and have to focus on the Copa del Reyes last 16, first leg match against Levante but had the backing of their fans, who did not need any explanation of events.