The top five greatest players coached by Jose Mourinho
Jose Mourinho has had a bright football career in the past, coaching among the greatest players.
As much we appreciate his past achievements, it is also true that he has failed to meet his own standards in recent years.
An ugly and confrontational end at Old Trafford was followed by a disappointing return to London with Spurs and now mixed form at the Italian side, Roma.
Five greatest players coached by Jose Mourinho
(Honorable mentions: Sergio Ramos, Petr Cech, Ricardo Carvalho, Javier Zanetti, Diego Milito, Maicon, Michael Essien, Angel Di Maria, Mesut Ozil.)
Cristiano Ronaldo
Cristiano Ronaldo and Jose Mourinho worked together at Real Madrid in 2010.
The pair had a tinge of disappointment during Mourinho’s time with Los Blancos.
Ronaldo became a better player while operating under the controversial manager.
He played 164 games under Mourinho, scoring a sensational 168 goals and laying out 49 assists.
Their pairing peaked in the 2011-12 season as Real Madrid romped to the La Liga title, beating Pep Guardiola’s formidable Barcelona side. Los Blancos scored an astonishing 121 goals in 38 league games, which remains the highest-ever return by a team in a single La Liga campaign.
Ronaldo and Mourinho won only three trophies together; the La Liga title, a Copa del Rey trophy and a Spanish Super Cup.
Didier Drogba
Didier Drogba, a Chelsea legend, is one of the best players to have played under the Portuguese manager.
Under Mourinho, the Ivorian attacker appeared in 186 games, scoring 73 goals and adding 40 assists.
Drogba’s consistency was often questioned, but he was unquestionably a guy for the big stage, scoring in countless finals and critical games.
Mourinho’s defense-oriented system relied heavily on his muscular frame, deft hold-up play, and commitment to cover every blade of green on the pitch.
Drogba was a key figure in all eight of Mourinho’s trophy victories at Chelsea, and he was also the Premier League’s top scorer in 2006-07.
Frank Lampard
Frank Lampard, Chelsea’s all-time leading goalscorer with 211 goals, thrived under Jose Mourinho’s guidance.
Under the Special One, the England midfielder appeared in 215 games, scoring 71 goals and contributing 60 assists.
Lampard was able to push up the pitch thanks to Mourinho’s defensive tactics, which allowed him to make driving runs into the opposition’s box from midfield. The Englishman terrorized defenses and established himself as possibly the greatest goalscoring midfielder to have graced the game.
Two Premier League crowns, two League Cups, an FA Cup, and a Community Shield were won by the tandem.
John Terry
During two stints at Chelsea, Jose Mourinho and John Terry built a solid connection.
When he first arrived in London from Porto in 2004, the manager named the centre-back as his team captain.
Mourinho would go on to have the England international play 266 games for him, establishing himself as one of the best defenders of his generation.
Terry was at the heart of Chelsea’s incredible defensive record in their title-winning 2004-05 season.
On their way to the Premier League title, the Blues surrendered only 15 goals and lost only once in 38 games.
It was the best defensive season in English football’s top flight’s history.
Terry and Mourinho have combined to win eight trophies, including three Premier League crowns, three League Cups, and an FA Cup.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic
Zlatan Ibrahimovic, the legendary Swedish striker, has worked with Jose Mourinho on two occasions.
The first time it happened was in 2008 at Inter Milan, and it only lasted one season. It was followed by a reunion between 2016 and 2018 at Manchester United.
Under the Portuguese coach, Ibrahimovic has appeared in slightly over 100 games, scoring 82 goals and assisting 22 times. They won the Serie A championship, the Italian Super Cup, the EFL League Cup, and the UEFA Europa League.
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