Former Real Madrid president Ramon Calderon has claimed that Jose Mourinho's possible managerial return to the Bernabeu was rejected by the club's players.

Mourinho was considered the favourite to take over from Santiago Solari, whose final game in charge would prove to be Sunday's 4-1 win over Real Valladolid.

Madrid announced on Monday evening that Zinedine Zidane will instead take over on a three-year deal, however - a shock appointment considering the Frenchman allegedly left on bad terms with Florentino Perez just 10 months ago.

Mourinho left under far more of a dark cloud, though, with players such as Sergio Ramos and Marcelo revolting to force him out in 2013, and Calderon believes that ultimately cost him a return to the Spanish capital.

"[Appointing Zidane] is a good choice. The other one was Mourinho," he told Sky Sports News. "But I think in the last few days the leaders of the dressing room have pushed to reject that possibility.

"He left here with a lot of problems. I think he would have been another problem added to the ones we already have. First of all it's good to have [Zidane] back as a coach."

Julen Lopetegui and Solari lasted a combined nine months between Zidane leaving Madrid and being reappointed.