Soccer: Real Madrid director general Jorge Valdano has been sacked by the club, in what will be seen as a victory for coach Jose Mourinho in his bid for more influence at the La Liga club.

"We have decided to end the contractual relationship with Jorge Valdano," president Florentino Perez said at a hastily-convened press conference at the Bernabeu following a meeting of the club's board of directors.

Valdano's relationship with Mourinho has deteriorated since the Portuguese's arrival from Inter Milan at the end of last season.

Mourinho was reportedly harbouring a grudge over a newspaper column the Argentine wrote several years ago criticising his tactics as manager of English Premier League club Chelsea.

The pair clashed at the end of last year after Valdano questioned Mourinho's request for another striker to be brought in as cover for the injured Gonzalo Higuain.

El Pais daily and other media reported Mourinho had asked Perez to oust Valdano as he seeks to increase his power over decision-making.