[attach id=262568 size="medium"]Rafa Benitez[/attach]

Rafael Benitez has made a thinly-veiled criticism of Chelsea successor Jose Mourinho.

The Spaniard, who frequently crossed swords with the Portuguese while at Liverpool and during the self-titled ‘Special One’s’ first spell at Stamford Bridge, seemed to suggest Mourinho lacked humility and crossed the line of what was acceptable in order to win.

The Napoli boss, who led Chelsea to the Europa League title and a Champions League return during a turbulent six-month spell which finished last month, made the comments in an interview with Spanish newspaper AS where his coaching style was compared to Mourinho’s.

Benitez said: “I don’t know what Mourinho does. I know what I do: I always want to win, without crossing the line of sportsmanship. It’s true that I get on better with some coaches than others and I align myself with those that don’t value winning at any cost.”

Benitez, who came through the ranks at Real Madrid and played for and later coached their reserve side, Castilla, said that growing up at the Spanish giants helped him understand the values of sportsmanship.

During Mourinho’s three-year tenure at the club, which ended late last season when he left the club to return to Chelsea, the Portuguese was attacked by sections of the media for not adhering to those values.

Benitez continued: “I joined Real Madrid’s academy when I was 13 and learned everything there.

“I received a sporting education from Real Madrid and I was taught to show respect and dignity towards the opponents whether we won or lost.”

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