‘I cannot go to Africa’, jokes Jose Mourinho as he reveals secret nickname used by ex-Chelsea star Michael Essien
JOSE MOURINHO has revealed the hilarious nickname he needed to ask Michael Essien to stop calling him.
Speaking for the first time since his departure from Roma, Mourinho opened up a variety of topics including his former clubs Manchester United and Chelsea and Roma’s owners.
During his interview with FIVE presented by Rio Ferdinand, Mourinho also opened up on his relationships with some ex-players, including former Chelsea midfielder Essien.
Mourinho explained how he felt he has always been able to rely on players from Africa.
He had a particular rapport with former Ghanaian midfielder Essien.
However, the 61-year-old has now revealed he had to ask Essien to stop calling him “daddy” after he was nicknamed as such by the 41-year-old.
Mourinho has likewise shared strong relationships with players such as Didier Drogba, Salomon Kalou and John Obi Mikel, though Mourinho joked it means he cannot set foot in Africa.
He explained: “I cannot go to Africa.
“Too much everywhere (fanfare). Because, you know, I had, you know Didier Drogba – Ivory Coast, Geremi – Cameroon, Kalou – Ivory Coast, Obi Mikel – Nigeria, Essien – Ghana, I have guys all around the world.
“Every time I go to Africa I cannot walk. The guys they love me. Even in Europe with many African guys people really loves me.
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“To be honest I love the guys and I feel that the African player is very loyal and very pure.
“Many of them they call me daddy and some of them they are almost my age when Essien calls me daddy I say ‘Michael Come on don’t call me daddy, we’re almost my age’.
“But you know this affection exists you know I love the guys I love to work with the African players.
“I think I take the best out of the guys.
“I think the guys they see me somebody that really loves them and admire their qualities as players in persons I always loved and I always had great response from African players.”