Depending on who you ask, Jose Mourinho can either be described as the greatest tactical coach to ever walk the planet, or the most negative manager who finds success by not playing an open game thus making the beautiful game so ugly.
Regardless of opinion, the polarizing Manchester United manager is one of the most successful managers in world football to have succeeded at every club he has ever managed.
Early childhood and managerial career
José Mourinho was born José Mário dos Santos Mourinho Félix on January 26, 1963 in Setubal, a suburb of Lisbon, Portugal. He is the son of a former professional footballer, Félix Mourinho, and the teacher, Maria Júlia Carrajola dos Santos.
As a child, Mourinho hoped to follow in his father’s footsteps to become a professional footballer. He first joined youth team Belenenses before moving to senior side Rio Ave in 1980. He spent two years with the northern Portuguese club before returning to Belenenses. However, after struggling to achieve this, he tried again at Sesimbra and then at Comércio e Indústria, before giving up on his dream of becoming a coach.
His first line of action was to enroll in the Technical University of Lisbon to study sports science. He also attended coaching courses organized by the English and Scottish Football Associations, where he caught the eye of former Scotland manager Andy Roxburgh. Mourinho’s first job was as a school coach, after which he became coach of the Vitória de Setúbal youth team.
After a while, Mourinho took the position of assistant manager at Estrela da Amadora, before becoming a scout at Ovarense. He eventually landed what turned out to be his big departure, as he was working as an interpreter for England manager Bobby Robson, who had just been appointed at the helm of Sporting CP.
José Mourinho and Robson built a close collaboration and friendly relationship which saw them working together at Porto and then Barcelona. Meanwhile, the young Portuguese coach was no longer just an interpreter, but also an assistant coach capable of planning training sessions and helping players analyze the opposition using tactics.
The style of the two men compliments each other and they have achieved great success working together. Mourinho later parted ways with Robson in 1997 when the latter left Barcelona as the latter remained to serve under Louis Van Gaal.
In 2000, Mourinho returned home to work under coach Jupp Heynckes at Benfica, but found himself at the helm just four weeks into the season when the German coach resigned from his position. He spent a few months at the club before resigning over a dispute over a contract extension and was appointed head coach at União de Leiria.
He spent a year at União de Leiria before being hand-picked to manage Porto with whom he won numerous trophies, including two Primeira Liga titles and a UEFA Champions League title. Following that success, Mourinho became something of a managerial journeyman, having served as Chelsea manager twice, before joining Manchester United.
Salary Jose Mourinho
Jose Mourinho is at the top of the pile of the most senior executives in world football, according to France Football. The Portuguese manager who recently signed a new contract extension with Manchester United which will lead him to Old Trafford until 2020 with the option of a further year, reportedly received an annual salary of 26 million euros.
Family – wife, daughter, son
José Mourinho is lucky unlike many others to spend his life with the only woman he has dated with a friend, Matilde Faria, better known as Tami by his close friends and relatives. Faria, who was born in Angola but grew up in the Iberian Peninsula, spends her time doing humanitarian work and is also an ambassador for the World Food Programme.
Before exchanging vows in 1989, José and Tami had known each other since adolescence in Setubal, a suburb of Lisbon, Portugal. They would live on a street away from each other, and once their parts were crossed, they were inseparable. Together, the couple have two children. a daughter named Matilde, born in 1996 and a son named José Mario Jr., born in 2000.
Young Matilde, nicknamed Tita, is a growing socialite looking to make a career in the fashion industry. In the past, she has been linked to One Direction star Niall Horan, although the pair later confirmed they were just friends. Meanwhile, Jose Mario Jr. hopes to become a professional footballer and is currently part of the youth structure at Fulham Football Club.
Height, weight and other facts
Birth name: José Mario dos Santos Mourinho Felix
Date of birth: January 26, 1963
Place of birth: Setubal, Portugal
Nationality: Portuguese
Height: 5 feet 8½ inches (174 cm)
Weight: 74 kg (163 lbs)
Zodiac sign: Aquarius