Spoony meets...José Mourinho
By Spoony:
It was the opportunity to sit and speak with one of the finest football managers ever. Have I over stated that? I don't think I have. League titles in four countries. In three of the four he has won the league twice, and in the fourth he is still the manager so who knows? One thing for certain, he IS a special one.
I was about to meet somebody I'd watched in many press conferences, almost baiting the media, playing with them, toying with them like a young cat would a ball of wool. Except for José Maria Dos Santos Mourinho Santos it's a science. Everything with Mr Mourinho is a science. Well that's what I thought before meeting him. I was wrong. I have to admit it.
The human side is what really drives him. He cares. It matters. They matter. They? The players. The fans.
"I feel the fans as part of myself, I create internal links with fans," he told me. I'd seen him throw his medals and a blazer into the crowd before but I wasn't aware his respect for them went this far.
I wondered if there would be areas he'd be cagey about addressing. His relationship with Abramovich? Returning to England to manage? And the million dollar question (although I suspect it would be MUCH more than that): would you manage Chelsea again? I was spoilt because he was forthcoming with all three. Although I'm sure there would've been a few crossed words between Roman and himself at some point.
He was and is charming. He is intelligent. An authority on football and without reservation, a formidable adversary. If you should ever find yourself on the other side of the battlefield to him make sure you prepare for every eventuality. He will.
Spoony meets...José Mourinho is on Ö÷²¥´óÐã Radio 5 live at 7pm on Monday 20 August. It'll be available as a free download afterwards as part of the 5 live Sport Specials series.
Comment number 1.
At 22nd Aug 2012, Jackstumps wrote:After all the comments about how bad the last one was it is surpisingly quiet here. Improvement anyone?
Complain about this comment (Comment number 1)
Comment number 2.
At 22nd Aug 2012, zelda wrote:I couldn't take any adult who calls themselves Spoony seriously under any circumstances so I didn't listen.
Complain about this comment (Comment number 2)
Comment number 3.
At 25th Aug 2012, Nick Vinehill wrote:As long as there's money about anybody can be a top football manager
Complain about this comment (Comment number 3)