José Mário dos Santos Félix Mourinho, better known by the name of José Mourinho is a Portuguese  football coach  born 26 January 1963 in Setúbal. “The Special One” as he nicknamed himself after his first press conference as coach of Chelsea FC, referring to consecutive European titles obtained with FC Porto, despite a smaller budget for a European club.

União Futebol Comércio Indústria de Setúbal, 1987, can you spot Jose Mourinho as a young football player?

Criticized by some and adored by others, he is considered by many as one of the best tacticians in the world. The Portuguese coach is also known for his provocative and mocking style.

Mourinho won the league in Portugal, England, Italy and Spain and their national cups. The Special One has also won the UEFA Cup and two Champions League with FC Porto (2004) and Inter Milan (2010). He won the Coach of the Year 2010 FIFA Ballon d’Or at the end of the 2009-2010 season punctuated by a historic treble with Inter Milan ahead of world champion Vicente del Bosque and Pep Guardiola. Since May 27, 2010, he is the coach of Real Madrid. But how did it all begin?

José Mário dos Santos Félix Mourinho was born on 26 January 1963 in Setúbal. His father, José Manuel Félix Mourinho was the goalkeeper CF Os Belenenses from 1956 to 1969, then of Vitória Setúbal from 1969 to 1974, managing to be selected in Portugal team selection in 1972. His mother, Maria Júlia Carrajola dos Santos was a teacher from a family close to the power who lost most of his property after the Carnation Revolution. He has a sister, Teresa, three years his senior.

Mourinho’s mother encouraged her son to be successful in his endeavors. Sharing the work of his father, he was immersed as a teenager in the world of football.

A young Jose Mourinho

José Mourinho integrated  the Belenenses youth team and when he had progressed to the point of turning professional, he joined his father,  coach of Rio Ave, Belenenses, and Grupo Desportivo Sesimbra . Lacking pace and power, he quickly realizes his limitations. It is from this point that he puts an end to his modest career as a professional player, and decides to go where his predispositions bring him, to management  and football tactics.

He left on his first day of business school to begin training as a teacher at the Higher Institute of Physical Education. According to biographer Joel Neto he is at this time, at age 23,  committed for good to football.

With this he began training as medical staff. Noticed by the coach of the Estrela da Amadora, he was offered a role of assistant coach. Then he became a translator to Bobby Robson, a position where he became assistant coach.

José Mourinho as assistant coach Bobby Robson at Porto in 1996

He follows him in Portugal and Spain in Barcelona (where he learned Catalan) club in which he is an assistant coach after the sacking of Robson and Louis Van Gaal replacement. These are undoubtedly the greatest influences of Mourinho.

After his stay in Catalonia, Mourinho returned to Portugal where he is in charge of Benfica Lisbon club where he meets Maniche, one of the references of his tactical devices.

To be continued…