Fenerbahce manager Jose Mourinho candidly named a former Manchester United superstar among the five favourite players he has managed in his legendary coaching career.
Former Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has had a decorated career in club football and is widely regarded as one of the best managers of all time.
The 61-year-old, who was recently appointed Fenerbahce manager, has enjoyed silverware success during his spells in Spain, England, Portugal and Italy.
Mourinho famously led Porto to a Champions League title and a UEFA Cup before he made a seminal impact in England with Premier League side Chelsea.
During his time at the Blues – across two separate spells – the ‘Special One’ lifted three Premier League titles, an FA Cup and three League Cups.
Mourinho also saw success during his time at Old Trafford, including capturing a League Cup and a Europa League in his first season as United manager.
The Portuguese manager also coached at Real Madrid and lifted a La Liga title and a Copa del Rey, while Mourinho famously led Inter Milan to a famous continental treble.
Mourinho names five favourite players he managed
Outside of his incredible silverware success as a manager, Jose Mourinho has also endured low points in his illustrious coaching career.
The former Real Madrid and Chelsea boss was sacked from Tottenham before he was able to lead Spurs to any major silverware.
Mourinho was also out of management in 2024 ahead of his appointment at Fenerbahce, with the ‘Special One’ axed from Roma back in January.
The ex-Manchester United and Roma manager has had the opportunity to manage a plethora of talent in his career, including Red Devils legend Cristiano Ronaldo.
Mourinho linked up with Cristiano Ronaldo in the Spanish capital after he left Inter Milan in 2010 and became the head coach of Madrid.
Speaking to TNT Sports, the Fenerbahce boss admitted that Al Nassr superstar Ronaldo would be among the five favourite players he managed in his career.
When asked about the one favourite footballer he managed, Mourinho responded: “Very hard to say, very unfair to say.
“I had so many in every club and not possible to win as much as I did without all these guys.
“So to speak about [John] Terry, [Frank] Lampard, [Didier] Drogba at Chelsea; Ronaldo, Xabi Alonso; at Man United, I don’t know; all the Inter guys. Honestly, I don’t know.”
Mourinho on Man Utd and Old Trafford
Mourinho said Old Trafford was among the best atmospheres he has experienced, despite admitting he was not at United during the “best moment of the club.”
Speaking on his experience of the best atmospheres, he explained: “I’ve been lucky. Very, very lucky.
“I was not at Man United in the best moment of the club but Old Trafford is Old Trafford, Bernabeu is Bernabeu, San Siro is San Siro, Stamford Bridge, I’ve been very lucky.”