Jose Mourinho returned to coach Chelsea six years after leaving the club. After a spell with Inter Milan he endured a tough three years at Real Madrid and returns a different man and coach.
The Special One —
Jose Mourinho returned to coach Chelsea six years after leaving the club. After a spell with Inter Milan he endured a tough three years at Real Madrid and returns a different man and coach.
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After a handful of games in charge at Benfica, Mourinho made his name with Uniao de Leiria. Angolan striker Freddy was one of his players and said even then the squad knew Mourinho was destined for the top. "He protected us from everyone, from the president, from fans, from journalists," he told CNN. "He makes you believe you are the best player."
Destined for greatness —
After a handful of games in charge at Benfica, Mourinho made his name with Uniao de Leiria. Angolan striker Freddy was one of his players and said even then the squad knew Mourinho was destined for the top. "He protected us from everyone, from the president, from fans, from journalists," he told CNN. "He makes you believe you are the best player."
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Mourinho made his name at Porto, winning a host of domestic trophies, including two successive league titles, and crowned his spell at the club with a shock Champions League triumph in 2004.
Vintage Porto —
Mourinho made his name at Porto, winning a host of domestic trophies, including two successive league titles, and crowned his spell at the club with a shock Champions League triumph in 2004.
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Mourinho left Porto after their European success and joined Chelsea in June 2004, declaring at his first press conference: "I am a special one." He led the club to their first English league title in over 50 years in his first season at Stamford Bridge. Frank Lampard (L) and John Terry were two of his most trusted players. He left in September 2007 after winning five major trophies.
The ego has landed —
Mourinho left Porto after their European success and joined Chelsea in June 2004, declaring at his first press conference: "I am a special one." He led the club to their first English league title in over 50 years in his first season at Stamford Bridge. Frank Lampard (L) and John Terry were two of his most trusted players. He left in September 2007 after winning five major trophies.
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Mourinho's next move took him to Italy where he won two successive Serie A titles, the Italian Cup and a second Champions League crown in 2010. Despite delivering silverware and being loved by the fans he had a strained relationship with the Italian press, one reporter even accusing him of being physically violent.
Twin triumph —
Mourinho's next move took him to Italy where he won two successive Serie A titles, the Italian Cup and a second Champions League crown in 2010. Despite delivering silverware and being loved by the fans he had a strained relationship with the Italian press, one reporter even accusing him of being physically violent.
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Mourinho celebrates Inter's Champions League success with Marco Materazzi. Despite making limited appearances under Mourinho, the defender was pictured in tears when he left, evidence of the strong bond the coach forms with his squad, according to a former player of his, Freddy.
Loyalty to loyalty —
Mourinho celebrates Inter's Champions League success with Marco Materazzi. Despite making limited appearances under Mourinho, the defender was pictured in tears when he left, evidence of the strong bond the coach forms with his squad, according to a former player of his, Freddy.
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Portuguese journalist Jose Carlos Freitas says Mourinho behaves as if he's an actor on stage and he has alienated some people with his flamboyant style. He has few friends at Barcelona, where he used to work as a translator, and annoyed the club by sprinting onto the field to celebrate when his Inter side knocked Barca out of the Champions League.
The final act —
Portuguese journalist Jose Carlos Freitas says Mourinho behaves as if he's an actor on stage and he has alienated some people with his flamboyant style. He has few friends at Barcelona, where he used to work as a translator, and annoyed the club by sprinting onto the field to celebrate when his Inter side knocked Barca out of the Champions League.
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Mourinho moved to Real in May 2010 but had to wait until the following season to break Barcelona's stranglehold on the La Liga crown. Real's success meant Mourinho had won league titles in four countries -- Portugal, England, Italy and Spain.
The Real world —
Mourinho moved to Real in May 2010 but had to wait until the following season to break Barcelona's stranglehold on the La Liga crown. Real's success meant Mourinho had won league titles in four countries -- Portugal, England, Italy and Spain.
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But the title Real Madrid really craved was their tenth Champions League success but Mourinho failed to deliver. After various run-ins with opposing managers, the Spanish authorities and some of his own players, defeat to Borussia Dortmund in Europe's top club competition effectively spelled the end of his time at the Bernabeu. Soon after it was announced he'd leave the club in June.
Madrid men —
But the title Real Madrid really craved was their tenth Champions League success but Mourinho failed to deliver. After various run-ins with opposing managers, the Spanish authorities and some of his own players, defeat to Borussia Dortmund in Europe's top club competition effectively spelled the end of his time at the Bernabeu. Soon after it was announced he'd leave the club in June.
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Mourinho's Real departure was welcomed by some, including Barcelona vice president Carles Vilarrubi who said he'd been a "scourge" on Spanish football. The Special One won't struggle for affection back at Chelsea and Freitas thinks that after his two years in Italy and three in Spain, Mourinho is ready to put down some roots and build a club in his own image.
Back to the Bridge —
Mourinho's Real departure was welcomed by some, including Barcelona vice president Carles Vilarrubi who said he'd been a "scourge" on Spanish football. The Special One won't struggle for affection back at Chelsea and Freitas thinks that after his two years in Italy and three in Spain, Mourinho is ready to put down some roots and build a club in his own image.
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