JOSE MOURINHO would have been known as “The Lazy One” if he made his name on the pitch.
The Special One’s former team-mate has revealed that he saw football like a “hobby” before he made the switch to management.
Jose Mourinho made 16 appearances for Rio Ave
Mourinho started his playing career alongside former centre-back Baltemar Brito at Portuguese club Rio Ave.
But Brito has revealed that the Tottenham boss didn’t work as hard as he should have done when he was on the pitch.
Speaking to Bleacher Report, he said: “He was an attacking midfielder, usually playing behind the target man.
“He had great ability, but what may have held him back is that he already had his life sorted in a way at the time – his mother was a teacher, his father, a coach.”
Before he added: “Our impression was that football was like a hobby for him.
“Although he enjoyed playing it, he was a bit lazy, he didn’t work as hard as he should have done physically.
“He did what he had to do and that was it. He didn’t go the extra mile.
“He wanted the easy life, to have the ball at his feet, he was not willing to go to war for that.
“Perhaps, this is what stopped him from being a better footballer.”
Jose Mourinho, bottom row on the right, played for BelenensesCredit: Not known, clear with picture desk
Mourinho was asked about Brito’s comments during his Tottenham press conference on Friday.
When asked if the description was accurate, he replied: “Correct, absolutely correct.”
The former Chelsea chief was then asked whether he’d play a young Mourinho in his side.
He replied: “I wouldn’t play him, I wouldn’t play him, that’s so easy.”
After he was asked if he’d have sold him, Mourinho claimed: “Sold? Offered. Take him. Take him for free.”
Former team-mate Djao has also lifted the lid on the time Mourinho scored a hat-trick during a senior game.
He told Bleacher Report: “He must have learned to swim that weekend; it was raining a lot and he did very well.
“It was a pleasure to play by his side – he had an excellent control of the ball and the skills to beat defenders in one-on-one situations.
“We were a very young team, full of ambition and energy.”
But Mourinho’s illustrious managerial career has overshadowed his ability on the pitch.
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp couldn’t even remember where the Portuguese ace played when he was asked.
The German manager then had to ask reporters to check for him in the middle of his pre-Spurs press conference.
During his time as a player, Mourinho played for Rio Ave, Belenenses, Sesimbra and Comercio e Industria.
He kicked off his managerial career with Benfica in 2000 – and he’s not looked back since.
Jose Mourinho has been in charge of Tottenham since November 2019Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
