Vastly experienced and widely traveled football manager, Jose Mourinho, has praised Nigeria’s John Mikel Obi and African players in general for being very loyal and very pure.
Mourinho who is currently without a job, having being sacked by Roma in January 2024 said this while speaking to former Manchester United defender, Rio Ferdinand on VIBE with FIVE.
Mourinho has coached many African footballers such as Didier Drogba, Salomon Kalou, Samuel Eto’o, Michael Essien, Geremi Njitap and Mikel all of whom he still maintains a strong relationship with.
As a result, the Portuguese football tactician has so many followers and lovers in African countries such as Nigeria, Ivory Coast, Cameroon and Ghana.
Mourinho during his interview with FIVE made a joke, saying what this means is that he cannot set foot in Africa but then, players from the continent are very loyal.
“I cannot go to Africa. Too much everywhere (fanfare). Because, you know, I had, you know Didier Drogba – Ivory Coast, Geremi – Cameroon, Kalou – Ivory Coast, Obi Mikel – Nigeria, Essien – Ghana,” he said.
“I have guys all around the world. Every time I go to Africa I cannot walk. The guys they love me. Even in Europe with many African guys people really loves me. To be honest, I love the guys and I feel that the African player is very loyal and very pure.
“Many of them they call me daddy and some of them they are almost my age when Essien calls me daddy I say ‘Michael Come on don’t call me daddy, we’re almost my age’.
“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 they see me as somebody that really loves them and admire their qualities as players and persons. I always loved and I always had great response from African players.”
Former Super Eagles captain, Mikel has always spoken of his respect and admiration for his former manager, Mourinho with whom he won a lot of trophies at Chelsea.
