Football
8y

Jose Mourinho: I have huge respect for Brian Clough's Nottm Forest success

Jose Mourinho has spoken of his profound admiration for former Nottingham Forest manager Brian Clough.

In the foreword for a new book on Clough called "I Believe in Miracles," Chelsea boss Mourinho talks about the similarities between himself and the two-time European Cup-winning manager.

The Portuguese revealed he went on a day trip to Nottingham during Euro 96 while he was working at Barcelona to see the city where Clough enjoyed his greatest successes.

"I walked all the way [around the city] and when I saw the stadium I thought: 'Are you kidding me -- this club won the European Cup? Twice?'" Mourinho says.

"It was a nice stadium and a nice city, but it was a small place. It was the size of the stadium that really took me aback. A small stadium, a small crowd -- I looked around and tried to take it in."

Clough, who died in 2004, won back-to-back European Cups with Forest in 1979 and 1980. He also gained many neutral admirers with his wit and outspoken views.

Mourinho, who has also won the trophy twice, said: "A lot of people say we have similarities and there are certainly coincidences."

Mourinho admires the way Clough used to project himself in interviews and news conferences.

He said: "We all probably remember Clough's best quotes. 'I wouldn't say I am the best football manager there is,' he used to say, 'but I am in the top one.' I love that line.

"He had all that self-esteem and big self-belief. He was very confident about himself, and from what I know about him he was very comfortable with the attention.

"Maybe because Brian Clough was such a huge personality, with so much charisma, everyone remembers his quotes and the stories and a few people forget his talents.

"He didn't win two European Cups with Nottingham Forest just because of his charisma.

"History cannot delete what he and Nottingham Forest did -- their results, the cups, the achievements, absolutely unbelievable achievements.

"I have huge respect for what they did. I think if Brian Clough was around today, we would get on."

^ Back to Top ^