Jose Mourinho sends strong Champions League warning to Newcastle United
Newcastle United face Jose Mourinho’s Benfica in the Champions League on October 21.
Jose Mourinho has labelled Benfica a “giant” of European football as he aims to upset the Champions League apple cart.
Newcastle United welcome the Portuguese heavyweights to St James’ Park on October 21. Eddie Howe’s men are aiming to end a run of three consecutive home defeats in UEFA’s elite competition.
A familiar face will return to Tyneside as Mourinho was appointed as Benfica manager earlier this month. The 62-year-old has an affinity with Newcastle, having worked as Sir Bobby Robson’s understudy during his formative years.
‘Benfica is a giant’ - Jose Mourinho
Speaking to UEFA, Mourinho insisted Benfica - who won the European Cup in 1961 - are a “giant” of world football. He said: “I was lucky in my career to coach a lot of giants: Real Madrid, Inter, Manchester United, Chelsea. Benfica is a giant.
“And in that sense, a giant club, giant responsibility, giant expectations, everything is giant, but it's the kind of challenge I need. My life has pretty much always been like this, and fundamentally that's what it is, the chance to work again at a club that I like to call a giant.”
Jose Mourinho wants to win
Mourinho returned to the Champions League with a 1-0 win at Chelsea, a poetic fixture given his history in West London. His willingness to win remains as strong as ever despite his trophy cabinet drying up in recent years.
“I don’t feed myself with these memories, I feed myself with results,” Mourinho told reporters after the loss. “My career took me to a position where everybody thinks I have magic to make things happen.
“I left Man United after winning things, I left Tottenham after taking them to a final, Roma after two European finals. With me it is never enough. If I am in a job I like to put myself on the line every day. I am desperate to win, that is the nature.”
‘A little Magpies’ - Jose Mourinho
In an interview with Sky Sports five years ago, Mourinho admitted to feeling a "connection" with Newcastle due to Robson. The Portuguese famously worked as an interpreter - and de facto coach - for the Toon legend at Sporting Lisbon, Porto and Barcelona.
“It's a club I feel connection with because of Mr Robson, it's a simple as that,” Mourinho said. “He had a huge passion for Newcastle and his area, Durham. He had it in his heart. So, through him I have become a little Magpie!”