Jose Mourinho has revealed that his victory at Old Trafford against Manchester United opened the doors for him to the premier league, Softfootball reports.
The Portuguese who was FC Porto’s manager at the time when he faced the Red Devils in the 2003/04 season. After a slim win in the first leg, he guided Porto to a famous 1-1 draw at Old Trafford which guaranteed qualification to the next round on a 3-2 aggregate and they went on to win the UEFA Champions League.
Mourinho’s last visit to England was at Stamford Bridge when he led Benfica to a 1-0 loss against his former side Chelsea.
Speaking to UEFA’s official podcast about his Iconic Champions League moments. Mourinho said:
Old Trafford, big jacket, big run. I think it’s the match that opened the doors to the premier league.The fact that it was England, Old Trafford. A Portuguese club knocking out Manchester United at Old Trafford. And the crazy young guy, running up the touchline.
And then, after this match, next week, I had two English clubs knocking on my door. I think it is this match that opened the doors to the premier league.
Here is the full video of the podcast as shared by UEFA’s official podcast on youtube.
Jose Mourinho picked Chelsea among his suitors at the time and went on to become the most success manager in the Blues history. He guided the Blues to two Premier league titles and the first one came for the first time in 50 years but he never won the Champions League with the club.
Mourinho, also managed Real Madrid and the Champions League eluded him despite winning LaLiga but at Inter Milan, he eventually won the Champions League and the treble before leaving the club.
Mourinho had two spells at Chelsea without Champions League success but won the UEFA Conference League with AS Roma becoming the first manager to achieve such feat, having won the UEFA champions League and Europa League.
