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Regarded as one of the best soccer coaches in history, Mourinho is famous for his success, charisma, and epic quotes. Here is everything you need to know about ‘The Special One”
Jose Mourinho Biography
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Born in Setubal, a city within the Lisbon metropolitan area of Portugal, Mourinho came from a large middle-class family, with football running in his blood.
His father, Jose Manuel Mourinho Felix—better known as Felix Mourinho—was a professional footballer who played for Belenenses and Vitoria de Setubal, even earning a solitary cap for the Portuguese national team.
His mother, Maria Julia Carrajola dos Santos, worked as a primary school teacher and came from an affluent background. Her family had strong ties to football, with her uncle financing the construction of Vitoria de Setubal’s stadium.
However, their fortunes took a dramatic turn in April 1974 following the Carnation Revolution, which led to the downfall of Antonio de Oliveira Salazar’s Estado Novo regime. As a result, the family lost nearly all their properties, retaining only one in nearby Palmela.
How old is Jose Mourinho? (Jose Mourinho Age)
Mourinho is 62 years old as of 2025. The Portuguese manager was born on January 26, 1963 in Setubal, Lisbon.
Jose Mourinho Football Career
Mourinho initially aspired to follow in his father’s footsteps, beginning his footballing journey in the youth ranks of Belenenses before moving to Rio Ave in 1980.
Playing for the reserve team, he was soon joined by his father, who became the club’s first-team manager in 1981.
At Rio Ave, Mourinho formed a prolific attacking partnership with veteran striker Mario Reis, reportedly scoring 47 goals as part of a duo that netted around 100, according to former teammate Baltemar Brito.
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Despite his involvement in the reserves, Mourinho was rarely selected for the first team. His debut came in the third round of the Taca de Portugal, a 2–1 extra-time win over Salgueiros.
On the final day of the season against Sporting CP, an injury to a defender saw him nearly drafted into the starting lineup, but the club president, wary of nepotism, blocked the decision. This led to Mourinho and his father departing for Belenenses that summer.
At Belenenses, Mourinho again spent most of his time with the reserves but made a memorable first-team appearance in the Taca de Portugal. Coming on at half-time with his team 8–0 up, he scored a hat-trick in a record 17–0 victory.
Later, he played for Sesimbra and then Comercio e Industria, where he was club captain and even saved a teammate from a burning car. Realizing he lacked the physical attributes for a top-level career, Mourinho decided to pursue coaching, setting the stage for his iconic managerial career.
Jose Mourinho Coaching Career
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Mourinho began his coaching journey after realizing he lacked the physical qualities to become a top footballer. He studied sports science and worked as a coach for youth teams before becoming a translator for Sir Bobby Robson at Sporting CP in 1992.
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Mourinho quickly impressed Robson with his tactical knowledge and became his assistant. The two worked together at Porto and later at Barcelona, where Mourinho also assisted Louis van Gaal.
Mourinho got his first major coaching job in 2000 at Benfica but left after a short spell. He then joined Uniao de Leiria and helped the team achieve one of their best-ever league finishes. His success caught the attention of Porto, who appointed him as manager in 2002.
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At Porto, Mourinho won the Primeira Liga twice, the UEFA Cup in 2003, and the UEFA Champions League in 2004, making him one of Europe’s top managers.
In 2004, Mourinho moved to Chelsea, where he famously called himself "The Special One."
He led Chelsea to back-to-back Premier League titles in 2005 and 2006, breaking records for the most points and fewest goals conceded.
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After leaving Chelsea in 2007, he won league titles with Inter Milan in Italy and Real Madrid in Spain. At Inter, he won the historic treble in 2010, including the Champions League.
Mourinho returned to Chelsea in 2013, winning another Premier League title in 2015 before being sacked. He later managed Manchester United, winning the Europa League in 2017.
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After a brief spell at Tottenham, he took charge of Roma, winning the UEFA Europa Conference League in 2022.
Jose Mourinho Current Club
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Mourinho is currently the head coach of Fenerbahce in the Turkish Super Lig. He took charge of the club after leaving AS Roma, where he managed from 2021 to early 2024. Mourinho is looking to help Fenerbahce halt the dominance of Galatasaray in the Turkish Super Lig.
Jose Mourinho Trophies
Mourinho has won a total of 27 trophies in his managerial career, making him one of the most successful managers in football history. Here’s a breakdown of his major honors:
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Porto (2002–2004)
Primeira Liga (2): 2002/03, 2003/04
Taca de Portugal (1): 2002/03
Supertaca Candido de Oliveira (1): 2003
UEFA Cup (1): 2002/03
UEFA Champions League (1): 2003/04
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Chelsea (2004–2007, 2013–2015)
Premier League (3): 2004/05, 2005/06, 2014/15
FA Cup (1): 2006/07
Football League Cup (3): 2004/05, 2006/07, 2014/15
FA Community Shield (1): 2005
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Inter Milan (2008–2010)
Serie A (2): 2008/09, 2009/10
Coppa Italia (1): 2009/10
Supercoppa Italiana (1): 2008
UEFA Champions League (1): 2009/10
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Real Madrid (2010–2013)
La Liga (1): 2011/12
Copa del Rey (1): 2010/11
Supercopa de Espana (1): 2012
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Manchester United (2016–2018)
UEFA Europa League (1): 2016/17
EFL Cup (1): 2016/17
FA Community Shield (1): 2016
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AS Roma (2021–2023)
UEFA Europa Conference League (1): 2021/22
Mourinho has also made history by becoming the first manager to win all three major European club competitions (Champions League, Europa League, and Conference League)
Jose Mourinho Salary
Mourinho's salary at Fenerbahce is reported to be €10.5 million ($11.4 million) per year.
His current contract with the Turkish club covers the 2024-25 and 2025-26 seasons, with no mention of potential bonuses. Mourinho has been brought in to help end Fenerbahce’s long league title drought, with their last Super Lig triumph coming in 2014.
Jose Mourinho Net Worth
Mourinho's estimated net worth is reported to be around $120 million as of 2025.
His wealth comes from his long and successful managerial career, during which he has coached top clubs like Chelsea, Real Madrid, Inter Milan, Manchester United, and now Fenerbahce.
Mourinho has earned substantial salaries over the years, along with significant payouts from clubs that terminated his contracts early.
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Reports suggest that his total earnings from managerial dismissals alone exceed $101.7 million. Additionally, he owns valuable real estate, including a luxurious home in Belgravia, London, valued at approximately $31.4 million, and several properties in Portugal
Jose Mourinho Family
Mourinho is married to Matilde Faria, a humanitarian worker of Angolan-Portuguese descent. The couple has two children: Matilde Mourinho, their eldest daughter, and Jose Mário Mourinho Jr., who pursued a football career as a goalkeeper.
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Despite his intense football career, Mourinho remains deeply connected to his family, often expressing their importance in his life several times.
Jose Mourinho Epic Quotes
Mourinho is known for his sharp wit and memorable quotes.
Here are some of his most iconic statements:
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On his own success: "Like me or not, I am the only one who won the world's three most important leagues. So, maybe instead of the 'Special One', people should start calling me the 'Only One'."
On Arsène Wenger: "He is a specialist in failure. If I do that in Chelsea, eight years, I leave and don't come back."
On squad rotation: "If you have at home one Bentley and leave the Aston Martin in the garage, you are a bit stupid."
On youth development: "Young players are like melons. Only when you open and taste the melon are you 100% sure that the melon is good."
On his tactical philosophy: "It’s not important how we play. If you have a Ferrari and I have a small car, to beat you in a race I have to break your wheel or put sugar in your tank."
On football and life perspective: "I am more scared of the bird flu than football. What is football compared with life?"
Mourinho’s charisma and confidence have made him one of football's most quotable figures.
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