Jose Mourinho has again spoken of his desire to win the European Cup with Real Madrid and of his surprise in how a certain nickname of his took off.
The Portuguese spoke to Sky Sports before his side’s 1-1 draw with Manchester City this week that booked their passage into the Last 16 of the Champions League.
For Mourinho, it was a chance to again reflect on the importance of trying to win the competition once more.
“You always want to win, you always want to bring happiness to your people, to your club,” the Coach reflected.
“Madrid look for the 10th title, which is an impressive figure. I am seeking a third with a different club, which would be very special to me, but ambitions are calm and controlled, and we will succeed. The European Cup is the ‘Special One’.”
That point was in reference to Mourinho’s self-proclaimed nickname coined at his opening Press conference in 2004 at Chelsea.
“I could not imagine that it would have such an impact and that was the beginning of a nickname that I have been known by for many years.
“It does not bother me. It is a consequence of my words, I cannot fault anyone for using that name. I said those words from the depths of my heart. I felt I could really have an impact in England, I could do something special. It was a funny moment, in a good way.
“I still like those pictures alongside Peter Kenyon, because we were young and it was a great time.”
Mourinho was also asked of his habit in celebrating winning titles with minimum exuberance and in contrast his reaction to certain goals, like sliding on his knees when Real Madrid scored their third in the recent 3-2 win over Manchester City.
“When I won the Champions League with Porto the next day was another day in my life. I don’t like to celebrate because I always think it will not be the last, that there is another just around the corner.
“So I won, I kissed the Cup and I went home.
“When we won at the Bernabeu [against City], I got the dressing room and checking my phone. I called my wife because she never knows the results and then I got a text message from Didier Drogba: ‘Cristiano is the second player who had you celebrating a goal on your knees, who was the first?’”
Drogba’s goal for Chelsea against Barcelona in 2006 had also prompted the Coach to knee-slide on the touchline in celebration.
