Yahoo Sports Mourinho opens up about latest surgery and his ‘perfect games’
José Mourinho reveals that he underwent laparoscopic gallbladder surgery this month and names three ‘perfect’ games for his teams, including Inter-Bayern Munich in 2010.
Mourinho released an interview with Corriere dello Sport on December 31, saying he’d return to Serie A one day.
He also discussed his recent health issues, which forced him to return home from Turkey earlier this month.
Mourinho opens up about latest surgery and his ‘perfect games’
“I returned to the pitch three days after a laparoscopic gallbladder surgery,” he said.
“I’ve started working again because it’s the thing I know how to do best.”
Which were the best and worst moments of the year for him?
“Personally, my daughter’s wedding was a fantastic moment, and I’m so happy for them. The Roma exit was tough, but I don’t throw it away.”
What does a great coach need to be described as such?
“It’s about the career, not just a moment,” said Mou.
“A coach’s greatness is in the results and the philosophy. In humanity and not egocentrism. In courage and not self-defending. In connection with a new generation of coaches and being able to sleep well at night because you’re aware you’ve been intellectually independent.”
Would he introduce a VAR challenge system and effective playing time in football?
“I’m the last one who can talk about VAR and effective playing time,” he replied.
“Let’s leave these matters to the phenomenons of football. I’m a coach, and I only want to be a coach.”
Who is he talking about? Who are the phenomenons of football he mentioned?
“The good coaches who don’t win, social media experts and people who know about football as much as I know about nuclear physics,” he replied.
“Football is the reign of superficiality and cliches. Usually, when people talk about me, they mention what happened 15, 12 or 10 years ago. In the last few years, I reached three finals, once with Manchester United and two with Roma. I am amused and proud at the same time, because when you do that with a team without European history, you realise you accomplished something special.”
How about perfect performances from his teams?
“It’s hard to tell,” Mou replied.
“Porto-Lazio 4-1, UEFA Cup semifinal in 2002-03. They scored after 50 seconds and then didn’t touch the ball again. Inter-Bayern 2-0. You already knew who would win after one minute. Manchester United 1-6 Tottenham. And it could have been seven, eight or nine. It’s also difficult not to find a perfect game in my Chelsea side that ate the Premier League.”
