Former Premier League manager and current Fenerbahce head coach Jose Mourinho has sent an apology to a former player over two decades after leaving him out of a crucial match.
Mourinho, 62, is currently the head coach of Turkish side Fenerbahce, having previously enjoyed spells at Chelsea, Inter Milan, Real Madrid, Man Utd and Tottenham Hotspur.
However, the Portuguese really made his name at Porto and led the club to two Primeira Liga crowns, one Portuguese Cup, one UEFA Cup and the 2004 Champions League.
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On their way to glory, Porto beat Sir Alex Ferguson’s Man Utd, Deportivo La Coruna, and finally Monaco to lift their second Champions League.
Forward Benni McCarthy netted 25 times, including twice against Man Utd, in the 2003/04 campaign, but was left out of the starting XI for the final with Mourinho opting to start Carlos Alberto.
And now, Mourinho has finally apologised and given his reason for the shock decision exactly 21 years on.
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“I am sorry @bennimac17 to leave you on the bench, but I had a feeling the crazy kid @calberto_oficial was going to score,” Mourinho wrote via Instagram.
“Missing the meals on the team bus. Hope we can all meet on 26 May 2029 and celebrate 25 years of incredible history. Take care, old guys.”
However, Mourinho’s decision proved to be the correct one as Alberto scored the first of Porto’s three strikes against Monaco.
Speaking to FourFourTwo in 2017, McCarthy opened up about the aftermath of Porto’s historic victory.
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“It was the greatest moment of our careers, yet the celebrations were odd because Mourinho wasn’t there,” McCarthy said.
“He knew he was leaving for Chelsea; the club knew it, too. Crucially, so did the fans, which meant death threats for him. I thought he’d still celebrate, but I think Jose was worried about the safety of his family. He threw his medal into the crowd and simply came to us one-on-one, told us it had been a pleasure and said goodbye. He told a few of us that he wanted to take us with him.”
The South African eventually moved to England himself and signed for Blackburn Rovers in 2006 before switching to West Ham in 2010.
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"It was my dream to play in England; I would have chosen Everton over Real Madrid, Spanish football hadn’t existed in South Africa when I grew up," he explained.
"I had options or interest to join Manchester City, Middlesbrough, West Ham, Spurs and Liverpool, as well as Rangers in Scotland.
"When none of them came off for various reasons, I felt I was cursed never to play in England. When Blackburn came in for me, I spoke to Mourinho at Chelsea. Porto refused to sell any players to Mourinho, and he advised me: 'Move to England, do well for a season and if you’re still the player I had at Porto, I’ll come and get you.' I did well for Blackburn, who got me for just £2.5m. Then they wouldn’t sell me to Chelsea."
Topics: Jose Mourinho, Champions League, Porto, Football, Premier League
Luke Davies