Former Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has revealed the hilarious reason behind his limited visits to Africa: the overwhelming adoration from fans.
Mourinho explained, “I cannot go to Africa. Too many [crazy fans] everywhere.” He elaborated, mentioning his experiences with iconic African players like Didier Drogba (Ivory Coast), Geremi (Cameroon), Salomon Kalou (Ivory Coast), John Obi Mikel (Nigeria), and Michael Essien (Ghana). “Because, you know, I had these guys all around the world,”
The Portuguese manager, who coached several African stars at Chelsea between 2004 and 2007, went on to say, “Every time I go to Africa I cannot walk. The guys love me. Even in Europe with many African guys, people really love me.” He added his own appreciation for these players, saying, “To be honest I love the guys and I feel that the African player is very loyal and very pure.”
While his love for Africa is evident, it seems the continent’s passionate fans make venturing there a challenge. Interestingly, Mourinho did visit Ghana in 2008 when they hosted the African Cup of Nations, but his experiences with enthusiastic supporters paint a clear picture of the immense popularity he enjoys among African football fans.