Ronaldo can`t handle criticism: Mourinho

London: The flamboyant coach has hit out at the Real Madrid star`s attitude and has downplayed his supposed falling-out with Pepe.

Jose Mourinho has taken a swipe at Cristiano Ronaldo in the wake of his Real Madrid exit, suggesting the prolific attacker cannot deal with criticism. The Portugal international had a bust-up with his coach earlier this season after Madrid`s 2-0 Copa del Rey win over Valencia and Mourinho has admitted the forward did not take kindly to his comments. "Ronaldo has had three fantastic seasons with me. We found a tactical set-up where he got the best out of himself and scored a lot of goals. I had one problem with him, though," said Mourinho. "When I criticised him from a tactical point of view because I felt he could still improve, he did not accept what I had to say. "That might be because he thinks he already knows everything and the coach cannot help him grow anymore..." Mourinho also endured a highly-publicised spat with Pepe during the final stages of his tenure at Santiago Bernabeu, but he insists his compatriot has garnered more support at the club as a result of the dispute. "I don`t know whether Pepe betrayed me. Everybody wanted him out at Madrid, yet I kept him on board," Mourinho continued. "But he picked up an injury and Raphael Varane did a fine job during his absence. He deserved to play and Pepe didn`t adapt well to the new situation. "All those who called him a murderer before now supported him. I`m happy that he gets that support now. It`s great for him and Madrid need players like him." Mourinho left Madrid at the end of the 2012-13 campaign to return to Chelsea, where he was presented on Monday. Goal.com