The Top Nine José Mourinho Quotations All Football Fans Should Know
The self-styled ‘special one’ is known across the footballing world for a tremendous amount of drive and professionalism. He may have his bust ups with players, directors, sports writers and even fans, but there are few who follow the game who don’t at least hold a grudging respect for the Portuguese manager. Although he had a notoriously tough time managing Manchester United in the Premiership recently, few people who take an interest in soccer would need the sports betting tips of an expert statistician to decide that his title winning days are not yet done. Rumours are already spreading about Mourinho taking over at Real Madrid for the start of the 2019-20 season. Who knows how many titles he may win in the future?
Of course, it is not simply Mourinho’s success that means he is so adored. Despite winning the FIFA World Coach of the Year accolade and being named as the UEFA Manager of the Year twice, Mourinho is often lauded for the way he expresses himself, too. Following in a fine tradition of plain-speaking football managers, it is often some of the quotations he produces which are of interest to journalists and fans alike. What are some of the most telling things he has said, including some of his unforgettable put downs?
One
Please do not call me arrogant because what I say is true. I am the European champion. I’m not one out of the bottle, I think I’m a special one.
Mourinho let everyone know just how highly he rated himself early on and little has altered his opinion of himself.
Two
I think he is one of these people who is a voyeur. He likes to watch other people. There are some guys who, when they are at home, have a big telescope to see what happens in other families. He speaks, speaks, speaks about Chelsea.
Talking about the then Arsenal manager, Arsene Wenger, Mourinho attempted to get under the skin of his London-based managerial rival.
Three
It’s like having a blanket that is too small for the bed. You pull the blanket up to keep your chest warm and your feet stick out. I cannot buy a bigger blanket because the supermarket is closed but the blanket is made of cashmere.
Mourinho found a poetic metaphor to complain about the lack of resources to augment his squad of players in a way that few other managers would even attempt.
Four
How do you say cheating in Catalan? Can Messi be suspended for acting? Barcelona is a cultural city with many great theatres and this boy has learned very well. He’s learned play-acting.
Without actually calling Lionel Messi – one of the finest players of his generation – a cheat, Mourinho managed to drag his name through the mud with a series of rhetorical questions.
Five
Guardiola is a fantastic coach but I have won two Champions Leagues. He has won just one Champions League and that is one that would embarrass me. I would be ashamed to have won it with the scandal of Stamford Bridge and if he wins it this year it will be with the scandal of the Bernabéu. I hope one day Guardiola has the chance of winning a proper Champions League, a brilliant, clean championship with no scandal.
Mourinho was always the master of the back-handed compliment. First he praised Pep Guardiola but there was a sting in the tail.
Six
If they made a film of my life, I think they should get George Clooney to play me. He’s a fantastic actor and my wife thinks he would be ideal.
The Portuguese manager certainly showed he had an idea of his place when it came to A-list celebrities!
Seven
You can say the linesman’s scored. It was a goal coming from the moon or from the Anfield Road stands.
Mourinho didn’t merely complain about match officials’ decision making – he made sure there is no room for doubt about his view of their shortcomings.
Eight
When [Chelsea] has somebody who wins four Premier Leagues for them, I’ll be number two. For this moment, ‘Judas’ remains number one.
The ‘special one’ responded to fans’ claims that he had betrayed them by pointing out his former club’s managerial record in inimitable style.
Nine
I would rather play with ten men than wait for a player who is late for the bus.
Mourihno’s views of unprofessional standards among players is well-known but he laid it out here in typically stark terms!
