Fans say ‘you can’t hate Jose Mourinho’ as he drags shy young Roma star into interview to tell heartwarming story
FANS declared that you “can’t hate Jose Mourinho” after he showed his softer side last night.
The Portuguese coach’s Roma side trounced Swiss outfit Servette 4-0 in the Europa League on Thursday.
The Italian giants are looking to go one better than last term when they suffered defeat in the final to Sevilla.
Mourinho, who is still refusing to accept that his team lost, was fuming with the match officials afterwards.
The legendary ex-Chelsea and Manchester United boss was hit with a four-match ban for directing abusive language at English referee Anthony Taylor during the game in Budapest.
Then footage emerged of Mourinho launching a foul-mouthed tirade at the officiating team in the stadium car park as he called their performance a “disgrace”.
Taylor and his family were then harassed and abused by angry supporters at the airport the following day as they headed back to the UK following the Special One’s angry outbursts.
However, he was back to his charming self on Thursday following Roma’s impressive win.
Mourinho handed 19-year-old Francesco D’Alessio his senior debut off the bench during the match.
And after the teen’s dream night, Mourinho invited D’Alessio to join him live on air in a touching post-game interview to reveal a truly heartwarming story.
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“First of all, let me tell you a story,” said Mourinho as he then gestured for D’Alessio to come stand alongside him before putting his arm around the midfielder.
He then continued: “In the summer, before the kids went back to school, we were training and there were loads of kids outside of Trigoria screaming because they wanted to come inside to watch training.
“He was with us and he said: ‘when I was seven, eight, nine, I was out there screaming because I wanted to come in. No coach opened the gates to let me in’.
“I was very happy for the kids because I opened the gates and let them in. Now he [D’Alessio] is playing for Roma in the Europa League at the Olimpico in front of 50 or 60,000 people.”
D’Alessio then revealed that his parents and sister were at the game before the emotional Mourinho finished off with: “I don’t want to say anymore, he can talk!”
After the clip went viral, fans quickly took to social media to heap praise on the much-maligned Mourinho.
“Love him or hate him, there’s really no one like Jose,” wrote one.
Another said: “Plenty don’t like Jose Mourinho. Lots of times he’s behaved in ways to leave you bewildered.
“But then there are moments, such as this, when he’s charismatic and charming and shows why those who know him well regard him so highly.”
A fellow fan said “you can’t hate Jose” while another said: “Jose showing why he is really is the Special One.”