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Jose Mourinho believes any manager who wants to succeed should have African players in his team.

The Portuguese coach revealed during the FIVE podcast hosted by Rio Ferdinand and Stephen Howson, how he is loved and respected by Africans.

Mourinho has coached some of the biggest African footballers like Samuel Eto’o, Didier Drogba, Michael Essien, Mikel Obi, etc and won many trophies with them.

“I cannot go to Africa. Too much crazy fans everywhere. I had Didier[Drogba], Geremi[Njitap], Samuel Eto’o, Kalou, Obi Mikel, Essien, Sulley Muntari, I had guys from all around the world.

 

“Every time I go to Africa I cannot walk, the guys love me. Even in Europe with many African guys people really love me and to be honest I love the guys.

“I feel that an African player is very loyal, and is very pure. Many of them call me Daddy and some of them are almost my age. When Essien calls me daddy I say Michael come on.. don’t call me Daddy, you’re almost my age

 

“But you know this affection exists. You know I love the guys. I love to work with African players. I take the best out of the guys. They see me as someone who really loves them and admire their qualities as players and person. I always love them”

 

Jose Mourinho also went on to encourage managers to go for African players despite the fact African players always go for AFCON mid season.

“If you are a top club and you want to go for an African player, don’t think twice and go. You lose him for 6 weeks every 2 years but you can have a very special player, because African players are different.”

 

Watch full interview on Rio Ferdinand’s FIVE Magazine show below (skip to 16:37)