Real Madrid captain Sergio Ramos has said Jose Mourinho was "one more coach" from his career as he prepares to face his Manchester United side in the Super Cup on Tuesday.
Mourinho, who spent three seasons in charge at Madrid, recently claimed he had needed to "beg" to leave the Bernabeu in 2013 and return to Chelsea because "everybody" had wanted him to stay.
That contrasted with claims at the time that he had fallen out with some of the players, with Ramos having allegedly given an "either he goes or I go" ultimatum to Madrid president Florentino Perez.
And Ramos told a news conference ahead of the match in Macedonia: "I don't think it [working with Mourinho] changed my career. He is just one of many coaches in my footballing career.
"I have learned things from all the coaches, even in the academy at Sevilla, and with Jose I learned good things and I am grateful.
"This is not a Mourinho vs. Sergio Ramos -- nothing like it."
Ramos said both Mourinho and current boss Zinedine Zidane were "great coaches."
He added: "A team, depending on the coach you have, changes completely. Each coach has his own system, character, players and management style.
"Each one is different, neither better nor worse. I think Zidane understands the changing room very well, although Mourinho had experience that Zidane did not have before [taking the job].
"They are two great coaches. Right now, we're delighted to have Zidane."
Zidane was at the Bernabeu throughout Mourinho's three seasons and said all Madrid coaches had top-quality squads to work with.
"Mourinho did a good job and I'm doing my job," he said. "I try to do it in the best way possible, but that doesn't mean anything.
"Each coach tries to make the most doing it their way. At Real Madrid every coach has great players to work with. That's the history of this club, and it'll always be like this."
Madrid vice-captain Marcelo said he felt the main difference between the spells under Zidane and Mourinho was the two Champions League titles the former had delivered.
"I was able to play with Mou, who has been a great coach, and helped us to battle for trophies," he said.
"With Zizou, you already know my opinion of him. The difference is the trophies we have won with Zidane, and the strength of Mou with the players."