Sports

I’m NO longer the Special One, it’s ‘old story’ – Mourinho

Published

3 years ago

May 25, 2022

Jose Mourinho insists his infamous description of himself as ‘The Special One’ no longer applies, labelling it an ‘old story’..

Mourinho delivered the infamous introductory line when he took over as Chelsea manager in 2004, having just won the Champions League with Porto.

That tag has gained momentum over the years, with the 59-year-old winning the Champions League as Porto and Inter Milan boss and following that up with Europa League success with Manchester United.

But when the Roma boss was asked ahead of his side’s Europa Conference League final against Feyenoord on Wednesday night at the Arena Kombetare in Tirana if he can produce another special display, he said: ‘The Special One is an old story.

‘When you have more maturity and stability you think much more about the people and less about yourself.

‘I can just do what every coach can do and try to help the team.

‘I don’t believe in magical moments. This is not the moment of one individual, it is the team, the players, the staff.

‘Does each new achievement mean more than the previous one? It does. But there is nothing special to be done, just be us.’

Mourinho is coming towards the end of his 22nd season as a manager but insists he does not know when he will call time on his illustrious managerial career.

That is thanks to some words of advice from Manchester United legend Sir Alex Ferguson, who called Mourinho into his office at Old Trafford ahead of a Champions League clash in March 2013 during his time as Real Madrid boss and was served with a warning of what lay ahead for him.

‘It was Manchester United vs Real Madrid. Before the game, Sir Alex Ferguson invited me to his office,’ he said.

‘I asked him, ”What is it like, boss? Does it change? Does it change over the years?”. He said, ”Forget about it. Nothing changes. It is the same up until the very last day”.

‘That is why I keep saying I cannot believe I am 59 years old. I cannot believe I have a 22-year career as a head coach. I cannot tell you when I am going to stop because I cannot visualise it.

‘The passion doesn’t change.’

Mourinho has won the biggest trophies in the game, but added: ‘The Conference League is our Champions League. That’s the level we’re at, the competition we’re playing in.

‘The club hasn’t reached an occasion like this for a long time. But we haven’t won anything yet and we really want to do that.’