Mourinho admits defeat in Cole pursuit

(GSM) – Real Madrid boss Jose Mourinho has conceded defeat in his attempts to lure Chelsea defender Ashley Cole to Madrid.

Madrid were confident of signing England international earlier in the summer, with goalkeeper Iker Casillas stating that he expected a deal to be reached.

However, Carlo Ancelotti has remained adamant that he would not sell Cole at any price, a stance which Mourinho has accepted.

“Carlo Ancelotti was very, very clear and that’s the best way in football,” he told the Sunday Times. “He killed the story by saying, ‘No money can buy Ashley Cole, Ashley Cole needs to stay’.

“I think Ashley thought about leaving for personal and professional reasons. We thought about him because he’s a good player who I enjoyed working with, but when a coach says no, it’s no, and we have to accept that.”