Mourinho: Ranking Top 5 Greatest African Stars to Play Under Sacked Roma Coach

• Jose Mourinho has a special bond with African footballers
• Serie A giants AS Roma have recently sacked the 60-year-old
• Mourinho has had stints with Chelsea and Real Madrid in his career

Jose Mourinho, aka ‘The Special One,' has had a special bond with African players throughout his highly successful years as a football manager.

His recent managerial journey back to Italy has not yielded the expected aspirations he would have hoped for after parting ways with the Serie A giants.

According to Sky Sports, Mourinho has been sacked after two-and-a-half years in charge at Roma, with Daniele De Rossi named as his replacement.

The 60-year-old manager joined Roma in 2021 and spent two-and-a-half years in the role, leading the Giallorossi to the Europa Conference League title in 2022.

With his latest chapter in Italy coming to an abrupt end, Sports Brief takes a look at the African players who have excelled under the former Real Madrid and Chelsea manager.

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Top 5 players under Mourinho

Jose Mourinho has coached some of Africa’s best players throughout his career, and a few names stand out among the rest.

5. John Obi-Mikel (Nigeria/Chelsea)

Former Super Eagles captain John Obi-Mikel, who joined Chelsea in 2006, won the League Cup and FA Cup under Mourinho in 2007.

When the Portuguese manager returned to the London club, he and Mikel Obi lifted the League Cup and Premier League in 2015 together.

4. Samuel Eto'o (Cameroon/Inter Milan)

Mourinho and Cameroon football legend Samuel Eto'o first teamed up at Inter Milan in 2009-2010, winning the Serie A championship, the Italian Cup, and the UEFA Champions League.

Three years later, when Jose returned to Stamford Bridge as Chelsea manager, he signed Eto'o and refused to let go of the Cameroonian legend, praising him as the best signing of his career.

3. Benni McCarthy (South Africa/Porto)

In a recent interview, Benni revealed that Mourinho made him cry in their first meeting as coach of FC Porto, Goal Ball reports.

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The pair would later go on to win the UEFA Cup and the UEFA Champions League in 2003 and 2004, respectively, before the Portuguese moved to England to join Chelsea.

2. Michael Essien (Ghana/Chelsea)

Ghanaian great Michael Essien played for Chelsea and Real Madrid under Mourinho, and the former Black Stars player made history by winning the Premier League in his debut season at Chelsea.

Despite having played under several excellent coaches, Essien regarded ‘The Special One’ as the best coach he ever had.

1. Didier Drogba (Ivory Coast/Chelsea)

Didier Drogba and Jose Mourinho had a particular bond because the latter signed the African football legend as soon as he became Chelsea manager in 2004.

His decision was vindicated as the Ivorian icon helped Chelsea win back-to-back Premier League titles, making him a feared name in both the Premier League and Europe.

Mourinho makes statement after sack

Earlier, Sports Brief reported Jose Mourinho shared photos of his favourite moments in the Italian capital as he reacted to his sack by Serie A giants AS Roma.

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The 60-year-old manager posted on Instagram with the caption: "Sweat, blood, tears, joy, sadness, love, brothers, history, heart, eternity."

Mourinho was appointed two and a half years ago, and his most notable feat was leading Roma to their first European final in almost ten years.