Legendary Portuguese coach Jose Mourinho in an interview with FIVE presented by Rio Ferdinand discussed his relationship with African players whom he had coached in the past.
Mourinho previously worked with 2013 Africa Cup of Nations-winning players John Obi Mikel, Victor Moses and Kenneth Omeruo during his tenure as Chelsea manager.
Mikel played 119 matches and scored five goals with Mourinho in the Chelsea dugout, Moses appeared in just one game and Omeruo was not called up for a first team game.
The former Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur coach has a close affinity with African players and is married to Matilde Faria, who was born in Angola to Portuguese parents.
Mourinho has described African players as very loyal and stressed that he loves working with African players.
“I cannot go to Africa. Too much everywhere. Because, you know, I had, you know Didier Drogba – Ivory Coast, Geremi – Cameroon, Kalou – Ivory Coast, Obi Mikel – Nigeria, Essien
- Ghana, I have guys all around the world,” Mourinho said.
“Every time I go to Africa I cannot walk. The guys they love me. Even in Europe with many African guys people really loves me.
“To be honest I love the guys and I feel that the African player is very loyal and very pure.”
Nicknamed ‘The Special One’, Mourinho has also coached at União de Leiria, Inter Milan, Real Madrid and AS Roma.
