Jose Mourinho has revealed that he spoke to the bronze bust of Sir Bobby Robson when he walked into St James’ Park on Monday night – and has told his Benfica players to enjoy a ‘beautiful’ atmosphere unlike those at London stadiums.
The 62-year-old was assistant to Robson at Barcelona having previously been his translator in Portugal, but he turned down the chance to be his No.2 at Newcastle.
However, Mourinho’s affection for Robson and the club was clear when he spoke on the eve of Tuesday night’s Champions League tie.
‘At this stadium, people don’t come here to watch the game, they come to play alongside the team,’ he said. ‘This city has a totally different culture to London, and the big clubs like Chelsea, Tottenham and Arsenal. I love coming here to play. I’ve told my players, it’s beautiful, that it’s an extraordinary atmosphere in this stadium and in this city.’
He added: ‘I exchanged a few words with Bobby as I came back here today. It’s a great emotion. When I walk in here, I feel close to him.
‘One thing he gave me was the opportunities. He took me to Barcelona. It was an incredible experience for me and that door is a huge door that was opened by Sir Bobby. The second thing is what I learned at the football level and at the human level. And the third thing is the trust he put in me. I tried to pay him back with everything I gave. I don’t know if I ever did, but I tried to give him everything that I had. That for me is enough.
Jose Mourinho praised Newcastle’s atmosphere – and compared it to some of the London clubs – ahead of Benfica’s Champions League clash
The Portuguese manager was mentored by Newcastle icon Sir Bobby Robson (pictured together in 1996)
‘I worked with Sir Bobby for six years and there was not a single day he did not show his passion for Newcastle, the city, the region and the football club, the pride and the passion he felt for it. Even when I was the manager of other English clubs, I’ve never hidden how dear Newcastle is to me because of the influence of a legendary person at this club.’
Does he regret not managing Newcastle?
‘I don’t regret because I never had the chance to, I never said “no” to Newcastle United,’ said Mourinho. ‘To be honest, now I don’t think they need a coach. I hope that they don’t need one in the next years, which means everything goes well for the club and for Eddie (Howe), which is what I wish.’
Howe said: ‘He (Mourinho) is one of the best ever. I’m not saying that because we’re up against him, I genuinely believe it. He had an aura around him and his teams. I took a lot from watching his teams in my early days, coaching wise.
‘He is someone I hugely admire, having come up against him before in the Premier League. As a younger coach I admired the teams he built at Chelsea. He’s a visionary and someone who broke the mold of how to manage.’
