Top five Cristiano Ronaldo fallouts with managers

Ronaldo has had a bad relationship with some managers.

Cristiano Ronaldo has, predictably, thrown a tantrum when Jorge Jesus decided to leave him on the bench during the Portugal national team’s recent international break. This is not the first time Ronaldo has had a disagreement with his management.

The veteran forward has thrown a wobble and committed his own Saipan after walking out of the Portuguese squad, alleging “reasons behind my departure” that he had yet to reveal. However, this is not the first, as he has had a falling out before. Here are five of Ronaldo’s most memorable management conflicts.

Also Read: Cristiano Ronaldo walks out on Portugal: Full timeline of events explained

Top five Cristiano Ronaldo fallouts with managers

5. Jose Mourinho

Cristiano Ronaldo and Jose Mourinho‘s relationship was strained right from the start. Both had enormous egos, and Mourinho believed Ronaldo had become overly dominating in the Madrid dressing room. They disagreed on tactics, and at one occasion, Mourinho told his assistant what to say to Ronaldo rather than speaking to the player directly.

Madrid had defeated Valencia 2-0, and after applauding the team, Mourinho targeted Ronaldo and gave him a dressing-down for not tracking back. Even President Florentino Perez couldn’t wrest it back at the time. The pair’s situation was never resolved, and Mourinho departed that summer.

4. Rafael Benitez

Cristiano Ronaldo was disappointed with Rafael Benitez‘s hiring because he had become accustomed to Carlo Ancelotti’s laid-back demeanour.

The player was apparently unhappy with Benitez’s tactical approach and took to social media to praise Ancelotti, calling him an “unbelievable person” and a “fantastic coach”, like praising your ex while standing in front of your current lover. Benitez attempted to play fireman, claiming that they were still “adapting to each other,” but he was fired a month later.

3. Ralf Rangnick

When Cristiano Ronaldo came to Old Trafford, his manager was Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who followed the slogan “just keep him happy, and everything will be fine.”

Rangnick was unwilling to put Ronaldo’s ego ahead of the club, so after United led 2-0 against Brentford, he switched to a back three and replaced Ronaldo with Harry Maguire.

Ronaldo threw a strop. He threw his coat to the ground, forcing Rangnick to intervene.

Rangnick attempted to downplay the situation, but there were later allegations of a further disagreement, with Ronaldo preferring to be club captain over Maguire.

2. Erik ten Hag

After scoring 18 Premier League goals in his first year back, Cristiano Ronaldo’s second season at Manchester United exploded dramatically. Following his dispute with Rangnick, replacement Erik ten Hag received a similar cold shoulder.

In October, Ronaldo refused to come in as a substitute against Tottenham and went down the tunnel before the game ended. If Ronaldo believed throwing a tantrum would win over the supporters, he was incorrect.

The supporters overwhelmingly supported the club, and Cristiano Ronaldo’s leaving was now necessary. He left for Saudi Arabia with his image ruined.

1. Fernando Santos

Jorge Jesus isn’t the first manager to face criticism for dropping Ronaldo. Fernando Santos did the same thing at the 2022 World Cup, benching Cristiano Ronaldo and putting him on in the 73rd minute.

However, it resulted in a big wave of criticism of the manager, who dared to do it again against Morocco, but the national team lost the game, and Santos left the national team.

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