Jose Mourinho fired brutal Zinedine Zidane insult at player who almost attacked him in furious dressing room row

Jose Mourinho once almost came to blows with one of his players in a heated dressing room row during his time at Real Madrid.

Mourinho, 61, has managed some of the greatest players of the modern era, having enjoyed spells at Chelsea, Inter Milan, Madrid and Manchester United among other clubs.

The Portuguese is now in charge of Turkish side Fenerbahce and will come up against one of his former clubs, United, in the Europa League on Thursday night.

Mourinho has overseen a mixed start to the season, with the club sitting fourth in the Turkish Super Lig after eight games.

That has led to claims from club legend Volkan Demirel there is 'unhappiness and hopelessness' in the squad under Mourinho.

If accurate, it wouldn't be the first time Mourinho has fallen out with his players.

Former Arsenal star Mesut Ozil once revealed that he almost attacked Mourinho with a boot after receiving a volley of verbal abuse from the 'Special One' during their time together at Real Madrid.

In his 2017 book 'Gunning For Greatness', Ozil lifted the lid on a ferocious exchange with Mourinho during one of his half-time team talks at the Bernabeu.

As reported by The Mirror, Ozil claims he instigated the exchange by asking Mourinho what he wanted from him.

"I want you to play as well as you can," Mourinho fired back at Ozil.

Mourinho then added: "I want you to go into tackles like a man. Do you know what it looks like when you tackle? No? Let me show you."

Ozil then said Mourinho stood on his tiptoes and walked around the dressing room mocking the Germany international, while suggesting that he was afraid to tackle.

Ozil added: "He (Mourinho) gets more and more fixated. His heart rate is probably 180. Mine's 200 for sure. Then I've really had enough. I can't hold back any longer.

"My southern temperament is overwhelming me. 'If you're so great, why don't you get out there and play yourself?' I scream now, ripping off my jersey and hurling it at his feet. 'Here. Put it on. Off you go.'"

Ozil then claimed Mourinho laughed at him "spitefully" before branding him a "coward".

He then added: "What do you want? To crawl under a nice, warm shower? Shampoo your hair? Be on your own? Or do you want to show your teammates, the fans out there, and me what you're capable of?"

Ozil played under Mourinho at Real Madrid (Image: Getty)

Former Fenerbahce star Ozil claimed he was close to attacking Mourinho but decided against it.

"I'm so p****d off. I'd love to chuck my boots at his head. I want him to stop. To leave me in peace finally," he added.

Ozil then claimed Mourinho used his footballing idol, Real Madrid great Zinedine Zidane, to issue him one final insult.

"Cry if you like, Sob away, You're such a baby. Go and take a shower. We don't need you," the former Porto manager said.

"You're not Zinedine Zidane, you know. No, Never, You're not even in the same league."

Despite that exchange, Ozil would later express his admiration for Mourinho - thanking him for the impact he had on his career.

Speaking to Marca last year, Ozil said: "For me, Jose Mourinho is the best coach of this century. His tactical understanding is on another level, but also his way of speaking in the dressing room and how he always protects his team in front of the media. He is truly a world class manager.

"I chose Real for him. He took me to see the stadium and all the trophies they had won. That gave me goosebumps. The visit to Barcelona was less exciting and what was most disappointing is that Pep Guardiola didn't even bother to meet me.

"Before that trip I really liked Barcelona's style and I could really imagine playing with them. So Jose Mourinho was definitely the biggest factor in my decision."