Who says “dour” Jose Mourinho doesn’t have any friends?
He may be under pressure at Manchester United, but the Portuguese is said to be very different away from the football spotlight.
And in an interview with Soccer AM’s Tubes, he revealed who his best pal is among the current crop of Premier League bosses.So it is Jurgen Klopp, or does he slink across town for nights with Pep Guardiola? Does he even swap Roman Abrahmovich stories with Rafael Benitez?
Not really. His best pal is down the road at Wolves.
“Nuno (Espirito Santo) was my player so I have a relationship with him from before,” he said
“Marco (Silva at Everton) I have known for years and he’s a good guy too.”
Former goalkeeper Nuno was at Porto for years in two separate spells, with Mourinho his boss from 2002-4.
When asked if he ever had a night on the town with Nuno, Mourinho was a little more coy.
“In spite of the fact that we are both now managers I think we have a thing that I was your manager and you were my player,” he added.
“That’s nice for me. There is always that little thing in the relationship.”
And he added he may soon be having another old pal joining him in the Premier League.
“Take Frank Lampard,” he added. “He’s a Championship manager who will be a Premier League boss really soon.
“I hope he one day manages Chelsea. He’s doing well. He’s gone a level below to learn and wait for a chance at the level he was at a player.
“He can now prove he can do it. He didn’t phone me for any tips, but we’ve spoken.”