Jose Mourinho gushes over Newcastle United as he prepares his Benfica side to play at St James' Park
Jose Mourinho has never managed at Newcastle United, but the Portuguese manager keeps St James' Park in a special place in his heart.
Mourinho learned his trade under Sir Bobby Robson, who would talk endlessly about how special Newcastle United is as a club, and that ultimately rubbed off on Jose, and he's always spoken well about Newcastle.
Unfortunately for him, his love of the club and the stadium has rarely served him well when he's been here as an opposition manager.
Hopefully that continues tonight when his Benfica side takes on Newcastle in the Champions League - kick-off is at 8 pm and the game is live on TNT Sports.
Jose Mourinho absolutely loves Newcastle United
Jose Mourinho spoke to the media on Monday ahead of the game and he was full of good things to say about Newcastle, Eddie Howe, the supporters and the stadium.
”Newcastle are a very strong team. Don’t look at the league and be fooled by their position.
“They are very organised, hand-picked players to play as per Eddie’s ideas, a tremendously physical team, very strong at direct play and set pieces. They have four very quick wingers, two on the pitch and two on the subs.”
”It’s a stadium that plays with them. People don’t come here to watch the game, they come here to play the game with their team.”
”I love playing here, I said that to the players yesterday. It’s beautiful playing here, it’s fantastic here. It’s an extraordinary atmosphere.”
“This city has a totally different culture to London, and the big clubs like Chelsea and Arsenal.”
“He loved this club, he gave everything to this club. Of course, he would be so happy with that victory in the cup.
“I was very happy. I know that is not the target, I know that Newcastle and all the Geordies, what they want is bigger than the League Cup, but the League Cup is the beginning.”
“I don’t regret [not managing here] because I never had a chance to. Never close (to the manager’s job). Close to coming with Sir Bobby Robson (as assistant). That possibility came when I was starting to think about myself.
“There was a lot of media talk but I was never contacted by Newcastle, never.
“I don’t think they need a [new] coach, I don’t think they’ll need me and I hope it goes well for Eddie. I wouldn’t change Benfica for any club in the world.”
Mourinho has been linked with the Newcastle job many times
Mourinho has always been linked in the media with the Newcastle job every time there's been a vacancy and any time Eddie Howe has gone through a difficult spell.
Thankfully, the board have always seen sense and stuck with Eddie Howe, and he's always repaid them by getting the team back on track and delivering.
Let's see which manager comes out on top tonight under the lights at St James' Park.
