Mourinho, a Portuguese compatriot of Jota's, spoke to Sky Sports on Friday, lauding Jota's humility and character. "When people leave this world, normally we all say, 'He was such a nice guy'. Diogo was really a nice guy," Mourinho said at Silverstone, the venue for Sunday's British Formula One Grand Prix.
"He had my agent, he had my structure, so of course I knew a lot about him. And people in Liverpool, they know what I'm saying is the truth. He's a lad that nothing was easy for him.
"You have to fight to arrive where you arrive. From this generation, he was not chasing protagonism; it was the protagonist that found him because of his talent. And the history is something really crazy.
"Three kids that stay without a dad, a young woman without her husband, the parents that lose both sons, it's crazy. It's difficult to understand. Maybe one day we will understand, but not now."
The storied coach also shared how grief united his Porto team years ago, emphasising communal resilience. Former Porto midfielder Rui Felipe was just 26 when he tragically died in a car accident back in 1994. Mourinho was assistant manager to Sir Bobby Robson at the time.
Sharing with Liverpool how they can look to cope with such a tragedy, Mourinho offered support as he continued: "It happened with me many, many years ago when I was working with Mr. [Bobby] Robson at Porto. One of our boys, also a loved boy, died in a car crash and the team was champions.
"Instead of the boys suffering alone, it was like the group was suffering together and trying to fight for his memory. It was a boy called Rui Felipe and we were champions, I think, for him.
"So I think in Liverpool they are going to suffer together, also the fans. I think the club is also a fantastic club. I think they already decided or are deciding to take away the shirt number 20.
"So, I always think he will always be at Anfield, will be always part of the family and maybe they lose a player, but maybe they win even more so than what they had."