Former Roma striker Borja Mayoral claimed Jose Mourinho's competitiveness means he has an "inability to accept defeat".

Mayoral spent two seasons on loan at Roma, the second of which was under Mourinho – now back at Real Madrid for a second spell – and won the Conference League during that time.

The Portuguese head coach ended Roma's 11-year wait for a trophy with that triumph.

Mayoral made just 11 appearances under Mourinho, netting just one goal that term, having netted 17 in 45 games the season before under Paulo Fonseca.

But the 29-year-old, who now plays for Getafe, admitted that while he enjoyed being coached by Mourinho, there were elements of his leadership that he did not like.

"Especially the training sessions. They were very competitive and very fun," Mayoral told Marca of Mourinho.

"Despite my situation not being ideal, I really enjoyed training with him. Over time, he even surprised me. From the conversations we had and some things he said to me before certain games, I felt that he valued my work.

"I remember that, on one occasion, he told me that I deserved to have played much sooner, and he also spoke very highly of me in a press conference. That's what sticks in my memory. He was an approachable person.

"What did I like least? Perhaps, in part, it was his inability to accept defeat. He made comments in the locker room that I didn't like. Not only towards me, but also towards other team-mates.

"I understand that he's a very competitive person and that, in the heat of the moment, we can all say things, but I think respect for people should always come first."