MADRID, Spain -- Real Madrid director Jorge Valdano has been fired by the club, it was announced on Wednesday.

Valdano clashed with manager Jose Mourinho at times during the season, and the move now hands full control of transfers over to the Portuguese boss.

"We have decided to end the contractual relationship with Jorge Valdano," Madrid president Florentino Perez said at a news conference.

"I want to stress how painful the departure of Jorge Valdano is to me. We have traveled a long distance together. Mourinho did not make any demands. He asked for more autonomy in line with how English clubs are organized."

Real Madrid is coming off of a season that saw the club finish second in La Liga while also advancing to the semifinals of the Champions League before losing to Barcelona.

Madrid did beat the Catalan side, however, in the Copa del Rey final.