Jose Mourinho Accepts England’s Football Writers’ Association Award

Hours after his charges notched a 3-1 victory over Manchester United, Jose Mourinho traveled to London’s Savoy Hotel to accept a tribute award from England’s Football Writers’ Association. Compared to the usual stodgy and stoic managers, Mourinho’s candid nature endeared him to the English media despite declaring himself “The Special One” when he first arrived to the Premiership. After providing the media with hundreds of quote-worthy press conferences and headlines, the tribute award was their way of repaying the Chelsea boss.

In a rare moment of humility and honest emotion, Mourinho thanked everyone who helped him on the way to becoming one of the most successful managers in Europe. He thanked the men he worked for in Bobby Robson and Louis van Gaal, his assistant coaches, his players, and of course his family. Mourinho also expressed his love for Chelsea and his love for England during his emotional thank you speech.

"“I love this Chelsea Football Club, which has been the only club to have ever sacked me, we as a family belong to you (in) England. I belong to Chelsea, Chelsea belongs to me, and hopefully we will stay for many, many years. It is not a threat, but if you sack me, I will stay in England and go to another club, a possible rival.”"

Chelsea faithful were gutted the first time Mourinho left the club and we here at The Pride of London think we speak for the rest of the Blue Army by saying that that the next time he leaves should be as a retiree and not a sacked manager. Congratulations Jose on the award and we hope you can make room for it on your already packed trophy closet. We also wish him well after it was reported that Mourinho had surgery on a fractured elbow in Paris. The injury and surgery should not affect his presence at Cobham and he will be back patrolling the sidelines for Sunday’s FA Cup tie against Stoke City.