'The Worst of My Career'—Reliving the Dramatic Madrid Derby That Ended Mourinho's Reign in 2013

José Mourinho gears up for his first Madrid derby in over a decade as Real Madrid prepare to take on Atlético this Sunday.

Mourinho's side have dismantled several opponents with their attacking prowess during the early stages of his second stint in charge, yet have also shown defensive frailties and, at times, a lack of clinical edge. It remains difficult to gauge precisely where Madrid are in their evolution under the returning boss, but few tests could be more demanding than a derby at the Metropolitano Stadium.

Madrid derbies are always fiery encounters, and Sunday's clash between Mourinho and Diego Simeone is shaping up to be must-watch television.

Atleti have the opportunity to mask their own unconvincing start to the 2026–27 campaign and could jump above their rivals in the standings with a win. Perhaps more crucially, they have the chance to bring Mourinho's honeymoon period to a definitive end.

Whatever the outcome, it is unlikely to match the sheer drama of the last time Mourinho faced Atlético—a match that effectively signalled the end of his first spell as Real Madrid manager.

What Happened in Mourinho's Last Madrid Derby?

The Build-Up

The final Madrid derby of Mourinho's first tenure at the club took place on May 17 at the close of the 2012–13 season, with both sides meeting in a high-profile Copa del Rey final.

With no neutral venue deemed suitable for the occasion, the Bernabéu was selected to host the final on account of its capacity—despite handing Los Blancos a clear home advantage—with supporters receiving an equal allocation of tickets.

Heading into the match, Atleti had gone 26 consecutive encounters, spanning 14 years, without beating their fierce rivals—a statistic that had become something of an obsession for Simeone, then wrapping up his first complete season as head coach.

For Mourinho, turmoil had defined Madrid's campaign. Despite a 14-match unbeaten run in La Liga and a victory over Barcelona to reach the Copa del Rey final, the situation at the Bernabéu was rapidly deteriorating, with the manager becoming an increasingly combative and abrasive figure.

Dressing room morale had hit rock bottom as the manager clashed with the media, the league, opponents and—far too frequently—his own squad. A stunning Champions League semifinal exit at the hands of Borussia Dortmund left Madrid needing to lift the Copa del Rey to avoid the unthinkable: finishing the season without a major trophy.

The Match

Atlético Madrid Starting XI (4-2-3-1): Asenjo; Torres, Miranda, Godín, Filipe Luís, Suárez, Gabi; Diego Costa, Koke, Turan; Falcao (Subs: Rodríguez, García, López)

Real Madrid XI Starting (4-3-2-1): López; Essien, Ramos, Albiol, Coentrão; Alonso, Khedira; Özil, Modrić, Ronaldo; Benzema (Subs: Arbeloa, Di María, Higuaín)

Cristiano Ronaldo broke the deadlock for Los Blancos with a characteristically powerful header inside the opening quarter of an hour, before Diego Costa drew level for Atleti before the interval.

Speaking years later on Amazon Prime, Atleti physio Óscar Ortega likened Real Madrid's relentless offensive pressure to "a hurricane," yet Simeone's men held firm in the second half—Juanfran famously clearing a Ronaldo effort off the line, while a youthful Thibaut Courtois produced a string of superb saves to keep Atleti in the contest.

Mourinho, for his part, was dismissed from the touchline after a heated exchange with the referee as tensions continued to boil over.

It was Atleti who seized the initiative in extra time, with centre back João Miranda rising to meet a corner and heading past goalkeeper Diego López—who had been selected amid Mourinho's ongoing dispute with club captain Iker Casillas—to set Simeone's side on course for a historic triumph.

To rub salt into the wound, Ronaldo was shown a second yellow card before the final whistle, and Atleti supporters were left celebrating on their fiercest rival's turf.

"Mourinho stay" rang out sarcastically from the stands, with the Real Madrid manager having exhausted every last option available to him.

The Fallout

Ortega described the memorable victory as a watershed moment for Atleti, who went on to claim La Liga the following season and advance to the Champions League final.

Mourinho, meanwhile, told reporters after the match: "This is the worst season of my life.

"A Super Cup, a semifinal, a runners-up finish. For many managers that would represent a successful year. For me, it is the worst."

Just two days later, Pérez put an end to the speculation by confirming that Real Madrid and Mourinho had "decided to bring [their] relationship to an end" at the close of the season.

Mourinho took charge of just two further matches as Real Madrid manager following the Copa del Rey defeat.