He was initially dropped in surprise circumstances for little-known understudy Antonio Adan before Christmas and then, while Casillas was recovering from a hand injury, Diego Lopez was brought in and made the goalkeeping position his own with a string of fine performances.

Mourinho then handed Casillas what appeared to be one final slight when, with Lopez unavailable, he named fourth-choice keeper Jesus Fernandez in his starting line-up for his final match in charge against Osasuna at the weekend.

Mourinho’s treatment of long-serving club captain Casillas did not sit well with sections of the Madrid supporters, but Spain’s World Cup and European Championship-winning captain is refusing to dwell on the situation.

He said in the Spanish press: “I don’t hold any grudge nor do I feel mistreated by him. He took the decisions which he thought were the best for the club and you need to respect that. I’ve nothing personal against him.

“Unfortunately we weren’t able to achieve our objectives in the Copa del Rey and Champions League in the end, but there’s no point going on about that.

“Mourinho has embarked on a new journey and I wish him the best.”