{"id":515465,"date":"2025-10-20T22:35:17","date_gmt":"2025-10-20T22:35:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/515465\/"},"modified":"2025-10-20T22:35:17","modified_gmt":"2025-10-20T22:35:17","slug":"jose-mourinho-makes-thinly-veiled-dig-at-london-clubs-ahead-of-benficas-trip-to-newcastle-as-he-opens-up-on-his-relationship-with-old-mentor-sir-bobby-robson","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/515465\/","title":{"rendered":"Jose Mourinho makes thinly veiled dig at London clubs ahead of Benfica’s trip to Newcastle – as he opens up on his relationship with old mentor Sir Bobby Robson"},"content":{"rendered":"

By CRAIG HOPE, CHIEF FOOTBALL REPORTER<\/a> <\/p>\n

Published: 16:53 EDT, 20 October 2025 | Updated: 16:53 EDT, 20 October 2025 <\/p>\n

Jose Mourinho<\/a> has revealed that he spoke to the bronze bust of Sir Bobby Robson when he walked into St James\u2019 Park on Monday night – and has told his Benfica players to enjoy a \u2018beautiful\u2019 atmosphere unlike those at London stadiums.<\/p>\n

The 62-year-old was assistant to Robson at Barcelona<\/a> having previously been his translator in Portugal, but he turned down the chance to be his No.2 at Newcastle.<\/p>\n

However, Mourinho\u2019s affection for Robson and the club was clear when he spoke on the eve of Tuesday night’s Champions League<\/a> tie.<\/p>\n

\u2018At this stadium, people don\u2019t come here to watch the game, they come to play alongside the team,\u2019 he said. \u2018This city has a totally different culture to London, and the big clubs like Chelsea<\/a>, Tottenham<\/a> and Arsenal<\/a>. I love coming here to play. I\u2019ve told my players, it\u2019s beautiful, that it\u2019s an extraordinary atmosphere in this stadium and in this city.\u2019<\/p>\n

He added: \u2018I exchanged a few words with Bobby as I came back here today. It\u2019s a great emotion. When I walk in here, I feel close to him.<\/p>\n

\u2018One thing he gave me was the opportunities. He took me to Barcelona. It was an incredible experience for me and that door is a huge door that was opened by Sir Bobby. The second thing is what I learned at the football level and at the human level. And the third thing is the trust he put in me. I tried to pay him back with everything I gave. I don\u2019t know if I ever did, but I tried to give him everything that I had. That for me is enough.<\/p>\n

\"Jose <\/p>\n

Jose Mourinho praised Newcastle’s atmosphere – and compared it to some of the London clubs – ahead of Benfica’s Champions League clash<\/p>\n

\"The <\/p>\n

The Portuguese manager was mentored by Newcastle icon Sir Bobby Robson (pictured together in 1996)<\/p>\n

\u2018I worked with Sir Bobby for six years and there was not a single day he did not show his passion for Newcastle, the city, the region and the football club, the pride and the passion he felt for it. Even when I was the manager of other English clubs, I\u2019ve never hidden how dear Newcastle is to me because of the influence of a legendary person at this club.\u2019<\/p>\n

Does he regret not managing Newcastle?<\/p>\n

‘I don\u2019t regret because I never had the chance to, I never said \u201cno\u201d to Newcastle United,\u2019 said Mourinho. \u2018To be honest, now I don\u2019t think they need a coach. I hope that they don\u2019t need one in the next years, which means everything goes well for the club and for Eddie (Howe), which is what I wish.\u2019<\/p>\n

Howe said: \u2018He (Mourinho) is one of the best ever. I\u2019m not saying that because we\u2019re up against him, I genuinely believe it. He had an aura around him and his teams. I took a lot from watching his teams in my early days, coaching wise.<\/p>\n

\u2018He is someone I hugely admire, having come up against him before in the Premier League. As a younger coach I admired the teams he built at Chelsea. He\u2019s a visionary and someone who broke the mold of how to manage.\u2019<\/p>\n

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