He is so often characterised as arrogant and nasty, but it’s rarely so black and white.
It is certainly true that Jose Mourinho can be ruthless and something of a bully, but he also evokes love and adulation from so many fans, players and peers across the world.
Speaking to Ben Shepherd and Chris Kamara on Goals On Sunday during Louis van Gaal’s first season, the Portuguese comes across as quite charming, humble and deferential.
He describes the (current) Man United manager as a “fantastic coach and a fantastic person”, and is very appreciative of his guidance and advice during their time together at Barcelona.
He does admit that working under Van Gaal was a “different learning process”, because he was “the complete opposite of me”.
Jose goes on to suggest that Van Gaal would need to adapt to the Premier League because he’s had “so many years of career before he comes to England”, but expects United to give him time because they are a club of “stability”.
The former Chelsea man is also gushing about Sir Alex Ferguson, explaining: “I never felt rivalry…I always felt a very nice person doing the best he could. I like him very very much.”
