Former Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has heaped special praise on African and its players, citing loyalty and love as the main reasons for working with some of them as a manager.
The Portuguese coach, who is currently out of a job, has already worked with several African players.
Some of more notable are Nigeria's John Mikel Obi and Victor Moses, Ivory Coast's Didier Drogba and Salomon Kalou, Michael Essien of Ghana, Cameroon's Samuel Eto'o and Gerem Njitap, and many others.
He can also link his affinity to the continent as he is married to an Angolan, Matilde Faria.
He was recently spotted sharing a special hug with the current African Footballer of the Year, Victor Osimhen, but all speculation about joining him at AS Roma ended after he was asked to leave by the Italian club.
The ‘Special One', who was having his first public interview since leaving AS Roma, was responding to different questions on the VIBE with FIVE podcast session where he talked about his time at Man United and Chelsea, coaching Cristiano Ronaldo, his experiences with African players and finding out his best players he’s coached over the years.
Mourinho love Africa and its players
Speaking in a chat with former England defender Rio Ferdinand in the engaging session, Mourinho said that he hardly visits the continent as the love channelled towards him every time he does is always overwhelming.
“I cannot go to Africa, too much everywhere. Because, you know, I had Didier Drogba – Ivory Coast, Geremi – Cameroon, Kalou – Ivory Coast, Obi Mikel – Nigeria, Essien – Ghana, I have guys all around the world,” he said with a smile.
“Every time I go to Africa I cannot walk. The guys, they love me. Even in Europe with many African guys, people really love me.”
Mourinho then went on to describe African players as being very loyal and stressed that he loves working with African players.
“And to be honest, I love the guys and I feel that the African players are very loyal and very pure. Many of them call me daddy, and some of them are almost my age,” he said.
“When Essien calls me daddy, I say ‘Come on Michael, don't call me daddy you are almost my age,” he remarked humorously.
“But you know this affection exists, you know I love to work with the African players and I take the best out of the guys.
“They see me as somebody that really loves them and admire their qualities as players and persons,” he added.
Mourinho makes a strong case for African players
The 61-year-old has really earned the love of Africans after guiding some African players to stardom through his club engagements across Europe. He remains one of the few managers in world football who's found African players as special assets.
Only a few months ago, Mourinho had told FIFA to stop African players from representing countries other than their origin.
Speaking to Football Talk HQ, he disclosed, “I want the world to see that Africa is equal with everyone, Africans are not behind with talent.
“They have the talent to win any tournament, except that most of their best players are scattered around the world playing for other countries instead of their homelands.
“I know I won't be popular for making this statement, FIFA should make things fair by refusing to let players represent other countries, this will make FIFA tournaments even more competitive and not one-sided.”
Mourinho shared his thoughts on AFCON final
He recently revealed in an interview with the same outfit that he was backing his best friend, Nigeria coach Jose Peseiro, to lead the Super Eagles to an AFCON win over hosts Ivory Coast last Sunday in Abidjan.
He would have been hoping for a different outcome, but Peseiro's side lost 2-1 in the final, and his friend couldn't make history of becoming the first Portuguese to win an African Cup like Mourinho would have loved to see.
