Renowned Portuguese coach Jose Mourinho has lauded African players for their loyalty, citing it as a key reason why he enjoys working with them.
Having coached a plethora of footballers from the continent, including Samuel Eto’o, Didier Drogba, Solomon Kalou, and the Ghanaian duo of Michael Essien and Sulley Muntari, Mourinho has developed a deep appreciation for African talent.
In a recent interview on the Vibe on Five Podcast, Mourinho expressed his admiration for African players, stating, “Every time I go to Africa, I cannot walk. The guys, they love me. Even in Europe, many of the African guys love me. And to be honest, I love the guys, and I feel that the African player is very loyal and very pure. Many of them call me daddy, and some of them are almost my age.”
Mourinho notably played a pivotal role in the careers of Essien and Muntari during his tenure at Chelsea and Inter Milan, respectively. Essien, in particular, flourished under Mourinho’s guidance at Chelsea, while Mourinho and Muntari achieved significant success together at Inter Milan, including winning the treble.
His admiration for African players’ loyalty and dedication underscores his continued interest in working with talent from the continent, reflecting the mutual respect and rapport he shares with many African footballers.
