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Jose Mourinho names the toughest team he ever played against, admits it was the most tense he's ever been

Jose Mourinho names the toughest team he ever played against, admits it was the most tense he's ever been

Jose Mourinho said he "thought 'the game is over and I am dead" after emerging victorious.

Josh Lawless

Josh Lawless

Jose Mourinho has coached at the pinnacle of European football, winning a total of 26 major trophies and outwitting some of the very best managers in the game.

But rather surprisingly, it was Martin O'Neill's Celtic side that gave 'the Special One' the most stress during his managerial career.

Mourinho's Porto side beat the Hoops in extra time in the 2003 UEFA Cup final, with Brazilian striker Derlei scoring an 115th minute winner to make it 3-2 in Seville.

Image: Alamy
Image: Alamy

With Porto having gone 16 years without winning a European trophy, a huge weight was lifted off Mourinho's shoulders and he views it as the most intense game he's managed.

"That final against Celtic was not the biggest win, it was not the greatest joy, but in terms of intensity it was my biggest ever game," Mourinho said, as per the Daily Record.

"The game ended and I thought 'the game is over and I am dead. It's still the most tense game in my career.

"I've played three European finals since, two in the Champions League. I've won a lot of titles, been involved in so many incredible games.

"But in terms of living with tension, intensity, with emotion raised to the limit, that game against Celtic beat them all."

Image: Alamy
Image: Alamy

Mourinho would go on to guide Porto to a Champions League win a year later, before taking the reins at Chelsea and winning back-to-back Premier League titles, as well as one FA Cup and two League Cups during his first stint.

He then dominated in Italy by winning a treble in his first season with Inter Milan, before winning La Liga and the Copa Del Rey at Real Madrid over in Spain.

Mourinho returned to Chelsea and won a Premier League and League Cup double in his second season, following it up with Europa League and EFL Cup successes during his first season at Manchester United.

Image: Alamy
Image: Alamy

After a spell in charge of Spurs, he returned to Italy with Roma and made history by winning a third European trophy when he lead the Giallorossi to the Europa Conference League in May.

Featured Image Credit: Image: Alamy

Topics: Jose Mourinho, Chelsea, Premier League, Celtic, Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur

Josh is a sports journalist who specialises in football and wrestling. He has been published by Curzon Ashton FC, Late Tackle, Manchester City FC, The Mirror, Read Man City and Manchester Evening News. He provides coverage of professional wrestling and has interviewed some of the biggest names in the field - including the first UK interview with The Hardy Boyz after their return to WWE. He has never sported a pair of Lonsdale Slip-ons, contrary to reports.

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