Jose Mourinho - how he is viewed by fans at his former clubs: He's 'no big deal as a person' at Porto... but is he still the 'Special One' at Chelsea?

  • Manchester United head to Chelsea on Sunday for Premier League clash
  • The fixture will see United boss Jose Mourinho return to his former club
  • Opinions of him are divided at Chelsea, where he won three league titles
  • Sportsmail's experts assess his stints at ex-clubs - and how fans view him

Jose Mourinho returns to one of his former teams this Sunday when his Manchester United side visit Chelsea.Ā 

But opinions of the Portuguese are divided in west London, where he won three Premier League titles in two different spells.Ā 

So, how is he regarded by his previous clubs and the supporters who would chant his name? Sportsmail's experts assess his stints at his former haunts.

Jose Mourinho's return to Stamford Bridge last season saw his United side suffer a 4-0 defeatĀ 

Jose Mourinho's return to Stamford Bridge last season saw his United side suffer a 4-0 defeatĀ 

Ā 

PORTO ā€” GONCALO LOPES, PORTUGUESE SPORTS JOURNALIST


Jose Mourinho's departure from Porto was not at all peaceful and prompted Pinto da Costa, the Portuguese club's president, to stop talking to the coach during his final days there.

First, Da Costa did not like that Mourinho had met in Portugal with Jorge Mendes, Roman Abramovich and Peter Kenyon without having told him personally of the intentions of the English club.Ā 

He also didn't like the attitude of the Portuguese coach after the Champions League final with Monaco in 2004.

Porto had just won the most important European club competition and Mourinho opted not to celebrate the title the following day, when the team celebrated with the fans in Porto's streets.

Mourinho's time at Porto is remembered for his wild celebrations on the Old Trafford touchlineĀ 

Mourinho's time at Porto is remembered for his wild celebrations on the Old Trafford touchlineĀ 

The Portuguese led Porto to a memorable Champions League triumph over Monaco in 2004Ā 

The Portuguese led Porto to a memorable Champions League triumph over Monaco in 2004Ā 

MOURINHO'S CAREER

BenficaĀ (2000)

Uniao de LeiriaĀ (2001-02)

PortoĀ (2002-04)Ā 2 League titles, 1 Cup, 1 Champions League

ChelseaĀ (2004-07)Ā 2 Premier League titles, 1 FA Cup, 2 League Cups

Inter (2008-10) 2 Serie A titles, 1 Coppa Italia, 1 Champions League

Real Madrid (2010-13) 1 La Liga title, 1 Copa del Rey

Chelsea (2013-15) 1 Premier League title, 1 League Cup

Man United (2016ā€”) 1 Europa League, 1 League Cup

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In Portugal, it is even said that the coach opted to go and celebrate on Abramovich's yacht to seal the final deal with Chelsea instead. After confirmation of his departure, Da Costa spared no words of dissatisfaction, saying that his exit was 'hasty, abrupt and bizarre'.Ā 

At the time he had two more years left on his contract with the club, but it was obvious to everyone that Mourinho would not continue.

In short, until the final in Gelsenkirchen, Mourinho's relationship with Porto was a real romance, for everything he had achieved. But after the Champions League triumph, everything turned into a roller coaster of emotions.

Even if the relationship between Mourinho and Da Costa is now better, the fans have not forgotten what they consider a 'betrayal' from Mourinho.

Fernando Madureira ā€”Ā the head of Porto's leading supporters' group, the Super Dragoes ā€”Ā said of their former coach: 'He will always be received with total indifference.Ā 

The Porto supporters have not forgotten what they consider a 'betrayal' from Mourinho

The Porto supporters have not forgotten what they consider a 'betrayal' from Mourinho

After the Champions League triumph, everything turned into a roller coaster of emotions

After the Champions League triumph, everything turned into a roller coaster of emotions

'His attitude with Porto only proves what we already knew about him: that as a coach he is one of the best in the world, but as a person, he's no big deal. He's in the top of the coaches, but as a person he's at the bottom of the list.'Ā 

It was the same story at his other clubs in Portugal, too ā€” his exits from Benfica, the first club that he trained, and Leiria were not at all peaceful.Ā 

In Benfica, he was hired by a president who left a few months later. After a game with Sporting, that they won 3-0, he demanded a renewal to the new president: he ended up leaving the club the next day.

In Leiria, he promised to stay with the club until the end of the 2002 season after taking them as high as fourth during the previous year. Then Porto came calling in January and he left, with those at Leiria questioning his attitude.

Mourinho, pictured with Maniche and Benni McCarthy, quit Porto to take over at ChelseaĀ 

Mourinho, pictured with Maniche and Benni McCarthy, quit Porto to take over at ChelseaĀ 

Ā 

CHELSEA ā€” OLIVER TODD, SPORTSMAIL LONDON REPORTER

It's in the bin now, the banner: 'Jose Mourinho, one of us'.

Once hung from the stands of Stamford Bridge, the Chelsea supporters haven't seen the need to keep it back for a special occasion.

Because that's what Sunday's visit from their former manager is, not special ā€” any more.

Plenty of Chelsea fans would just rather forget who is prowling in the opposition technical area this weekend, while others feel a little more ire to the Manchester United boss.

As usual, though, Mourinho is often impossible to ignore. He took a light ribbing in each of last season's defeats at his old club and responded with a classic jibe of 'Judas is No 1' having fallen out of the FA Cup in March.

All the attention was on Mourinho during his unveiling as Chelsea manager in June, 2004

All the attention was on Mourinho during his unveiling as Chelsea manager in June, 2004

Mourinho won three Premier League titles during two different spells at the west London club

Mourinho won three Premier League titles during two different spells at the west London club

'Until the moment they have a manager that wins four Premier Leagues for them, I'm the No 1,' Mourinho said.

'When they have somebody that wins four Premier Leagues for them, I become No 2. Until this moment Judas is No 1.'

That came from questions centring around shouts of 'Judas' from behind the dug-outs in Stamford Bridge's East Stand. Otherwise, Mourinho was mostly ignored.

His name was sung ironically when United were hammered 4-0 in the Premier League last year but the banners, which initially lasted beyond his sacking, are not there any more.

The other one hailing him as 'The Special One' was reclaimed by one supporter and the 'One of us' flag has been binned.

This banner was once displayed at Stamford Bridge but it has now been removedĀ 

This banner was once displayed at Stamford Bridge but it has now been removedĀ 

When Mourinho returned to his old stomping ground last term, he was greeted by John TerryĀ 

When Mourinho returned to his old stomping ground last term, he was greeted by John TerryĀ 

Perhaps, years in the future when Mourinho leaves the Premier League, it will all be forgotten but for now a direct rival cannot be trusted.

Frank Lampard had a bit of the hero's reception when he returned with Manchester City in 2015 and a flag bearing his name was unveiled after full-time. Mourinho cannot be afforded the same.

Mourinho is right: 'Judas' is still No 1. His impact, and three titles, since walking through the doors at Stamford Bridge in 2004 are not forgotten.

Even Antonio Conte, with the goodwill of last season's triumph, looks unlikely to match Mourinho's figure. The Portuguese might well be Chelsea's most-successful manager for a long time yet.

It's just that most would rather he was not a direct competitor. Of course, that brash, everyone's against us, win at all costs style has, and always will, rub people up the wrong way ā€” even those who once worshipped Mourinho.

Sunday's visit from Manchester United and their former manager is not special ā€” any more

Sunday's visit from Manchester United and their former manager is not special ā€” any more

The Chelsea supporters once adored the manager but he is now managing a direct rivalĀ 

The Chelsea supporters once adored the manager but he is now managing a direct rivalĀ 

Everything they see emanating from Old Trafford is mostly a mirror of the man who sat in their own dug-out for over five years across two spells.

So Mourinho will always evoke fond memories at Chelsea: a first title in 50 years, two further crowns, an FA Cup and three League Cups plus the foundation of their only team to win the Champions League.

For now, though, it is a once-strong friendship ruined by rivalry.

And who knows, the way Chelsea go about things, maybe Mourinho will be back on the same side one day? Perhaps not. But down the line he might get cheers again rather than calls of 'Judas'.Ā 

Sunday is unlikely to be that day.

Manchester United manager Mourinho has played down his return to Chelsea on Sunday

Manchester United manager Mourinho has played down his return to Chelsea on Sunday

Ā 

INTER MILAN

BY SHERIDAN BIRD, SPORTSMAIL'S ITALIAN FOOTBALL EXPERT

Mourinho's time in Serie A was fairly quiet. Apart from the opening press conference, the soundbites, the gestures, the first treble in Italian history and his Brian Clough 'The Damned United' moment.

At his unveiling in summer 2008, the new boy dipped into Milan dialect and wooed an entire country. He said 'Non sono un pirla', which translates as 'I am not an idiot', but the clever part was using the word 'pirla' which is Milanese vernacular for stupid person. That gem reached the lofty levels of his 2004 masterpiece 'I am The Special One'.

'Mou', as the Italian media called him, won the league in his first season in 2008-09 but it wasn't an easy start. After a lucky win at minnows Reggina in November, which included Inter squandering a 2-0 lead, the coach allegedly had his 'Cloughie at Leeds 1974' moment.Ā 

Mourinho's second Champions League triumph was a memorable one, winning it with InterĀ 

Mourinho's second Champions League triumph was a memorable one, winning it with InterĀ 

Mourinho pictured on the Stamford Bridge touchline during his spell with Italian side Inter

Mourinho pictured on the Stamford Bridge touchline during his spell with Italian side Inter

He apparently told the squad that they had done nothing in their careers. In Mourinho's eyes, their recent Scudetto triumphs were either administrative gifts (after Juventus were forced to relinquish the title) or because the other sides in Serie A weren't up to standard.

In another conference towards the end of that season, he spoke about rivals Juventus, AC Milan and Roma one by one, explaining that they were heading towards 'zero titles' (zero titoli) that year, despite having world class players.Ā 

In his Portuguese accent the phrase sounded more like 'zeru tituli', and another cheeky slogan was born. T-shirts with 'Zeru Tituli' written on them still sell by the truckload today.

Mourinho celebrates in typical  fashion after winning a Champions League semi-final in 2010

Mourinho celebrates in typical fashion after winning a Champions League semi-final in 2010

Jose deployed the 'siege mentality' ā€” and theatricality during his two seasons in Italy.Ā 

The former Chelsea boss showed his tactical adaptability to gain a 0-0 draw against an excellent Sampdoria side in February 2010, despite both his centre backs, Walter Samuel and Ivan Cordoba, being sent off before the 40 minute mark.Ā 

At full-time Mourinho made a 'handcuff' gesture, implying that everyone was against the Nerazzurri.

Inter fans would have been happy winning the Champions League alone. The fact Mourinho did the treble (the only one in Italian history) means his legacy is untouchable.Ā 

The boss had a close bond with his players - but he left Italy to take over at Real Madrid in 2010

The boss had a close bond with his players - but he left Italy to take over at Real Madrid in 2010

The blue and blacks hadn't lifted Europe's premier club competition since 1965, and hadn't reached a European Cup final since 1972 (when Johan Cruyff's Ajax swatted an ageing Inter aside).

Season ticket holder Carlo Pugnetti, 31, says: 'In Massimo Moratti, we had a romantic president for years, and we were ridiculed by rivals and the press for decades because of some of his decisions.Ā 

'But Mourinho defended us like a bulldog with cutting wit and charm, which was in keeping with traditional Milanese culture. Idols of the past like captain Giacinto Facchetti, ex-president (and Massimo's father) Angelo Moratti and ex-coach Helenio Herrera had done the same.

'In that way Mourinho was a direct link between the double European Cup-winning "Great Inter" of the 60s and Massimo Moratti's era. And thanks to Jose, Massimo won the cup with the big ears, like his dad Angelo.'

The fact Mourinho won treble - the only one in Italian history - means his legacy is untouchable

The fact Mourinho won treble - the only one in Italian history - means his legacy is untouchable

Ā 

REAL MADRID

BYĀ PETE JENSON, SPORTSMAIL'S SPANISH FOOTBALL EXPERT

Nothing divides Real Madrid supporters quite like the subject of Jose Mourinho.Ā 

Many loved the way he took on Pep Guardiola and Barcelona during his three years at the club ā€” three years when, as he said after he left, they had probably the best team in their history.

But just as many, probably more, would look back at him as having been a divisive influence on the club, splitting the dressing room and turning Madrid into a functional team that thrilled no one and ultimately failed in Europe.

In the early days the majority were most definitely in Mourinho's camp, especially when in 2011 he won the Spanish Cup at Mestalla against Barcelona in a final decided by a Cristiano Ronaldo goal.

Mourinho is thrown in the air by his buoyant Real players after winning the 2011 Copa del Rey

Mourinho is thrown in the air by his buoyant Real players after winning the 2011 Copa del Rey

Mourinho celebrates on the team bus after leading Real to a La Liga title triumph in 2012

Mourinho celebrates on the team bus after leading Real to a La Liga title triumph in 2012

To understand how grateful they were to have Mourinho in that first season, it's important to remember just how dominant Guardiola had been since taking over Barcelona several seasons before.

He had won six out of the first six trophies he contested. He had wowed the world, not just Spain, with the football his team played. Real Madrid had been beaten 6-2 in their own stadium.Ā 

No wonder when Mourinho guided Inter Milan to a semi-final win over Barcelona in the 2010 Champions League he became the outstanding candidate.Ā 

He was Madrid's first ā€” and arguably only ā€” Galatico manager. They sold shirts with No 1 on the back of them in the club shop and they were not for Iker Casillas ā€”Ā they were for him.

During his spell at the Spanish giants, he had a huge falling out with club icon Iker Casillas (L)

During his spell at the Spanish giants, he had a huge falling out with club icon Iker Casillas (L)

The Portuguese tactician was Madrid's first ā€” and arguably only ā€” Galatico manager

The Portuguese tactician was Madrid's first ā€” and arguably only ā€” Galatico manager

But the purists among the support always had their doubts. Mourinho made war. He believed Barcelona could not be beaten in a straight football contest, but they could be vanquished in battle.Ā 

In his second season he delivered the league title but the season still ended in frustration with a second successive Champions League semi-final exit and in the third year Mourinho fell out with several players. None more so than club legend Casillas.

This divided supporters, too. Some agreed that Casillas was past his best and enjoyed a place in the team for past achievements and not present form. Others found it sacrilegious that someone with such a history at the club should be jettisoned.

The division between those who adored him and those who couldn't stand him continues to this day.Ā Real Madrid have won three Champions Leagues in the four years since his departure.Ā 

Division between those who adored him and those who couldn't stand him continues today

Division between those who adored him and those who couldn't stand him continues today

His supporters say he laid the foundations for that with three semi-final appearances in his three seasons. Others would argue it was more evidence of his inadequacies.Ā 

When he coached relative European underdogs Inter and Porto he marched them over the line; put in charge of one of the tournament favourites he was less effective.

Would they take him back now? Again there would be a split but most would not. Things have gone well since he left and a lot more has been won with a lot loss friction caused.Ā 

But he still has his supporters who liked the way he never kowtowed to the dressing room and most importantly of all he took on Barcelona, in any way he could in order to get a result.Ā 

Real Madrid have won three Champions Leagues in the four years since Mourinho's departure

Real Madrid have won three Champions Leagues in the four years since Mourinho's departure

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