‘Why I cannot go to Africa’ – Mourinho

Former Chelsea and Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has hilariously claimed he cannot go to Africa because of the love he receives from fans.

Mourinho is one of the most successful managers in the modern era, and in his career, which has seen him work with different teams, he has had the opportunity to coach various African talents.

Didier Drogba, Michael Essien, Samuel Eto’o, McDonald Mariga, and John Obi-Mikel are some of the players he has worked with at various clubs. But most of the African players Mournho spent successful time with were at Chelsea during his two stints.

He has also worked with global stars like Cristiano Ronaldo, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Wayne Rooney, and others,  but his adoration of African players is unmatched.

African love

“I cannot go to Africa,” Mourinho told Football.com.

“Too much everywhere. Because, you know, I had, you know, Didier Drogba, Geremi, Salomon Kalou, Obi Mikel, and Essien, I have guys all around the world. 

“Every time I go to Africa, I cannot walk. The guys love me. Even in Europe, with many African guys, people really love me. To be honest, I love the guys, and I feel that the African player is very loyal and very pure,” the Portuguese tactician said.

The ex-Real Madrid and AS Roma coach also revealed that some of his former players call him Daddy.

“Many of them call me Daddy, and some of them are almost my age. When Essien calls me Daddy, I say, ‘Michael, come on, don’t call me Daddy; you’re almost my age,” Mourinho joked.

The former Champions League-winning coach at Porto also said he believes he works best with stars from the continent.

“But you know this affection exists; you know I love the guys. I love to work with the African players.

“I think I take the best out of the guys. I think the guys see me as somebody who really loves them and admires their qualities as players. I always loved them, and I always had great responses from African players,” he concluded.