Newcastle United welcome Jose Mourinho to St James’ Park in the Champions League on Tuesday.
Jose Mourinho is unhappy with the lack of time spent on the training ground since becoming Benfica manager.
The 62-year-old was appointed last month after being sacked by Benfica just weeks earlier. For Mourinho, this marked his journey coming full circle, having started his managerial career at the Portuguese giants 25 years ago.
The nostalgia trip is set to continue on Tuesday when Benfica travel to Newcastle United in the Champions League. Toon legend Sir Bobby Robson was famously Mourinho’s boss during his time at Sporting Lisbon, Porto and Barcelona.
Jose Mourinho complaining about schedule
Mourinho returns to St James’ Park knowing full well the test that awaits. As for Newcastle, they are aiming to end a run of three consecutive home defeats at Champions League level.
But in true Mourinho fashion, he could not resist a swipe at Benfica’s disjointed training schedule due to the international break. He said following a 2-0 win over Chaves: “I can say that we trained yesterday (Thursday) and the day before (Wednesday). On the other days, one player arrived, then another.
“We did some of the things we trained, but at a slower pace than I wanted, both in terms of passing and in terms of finding an inside game. Newcastle? It’s going to be very difficult. They have a very strong midfield, and St James’ Park is also a good place to play.”
Patchy record at St James’ Park
Mourinho has only won three of his 12 games across various clubs at St James’ Park. Only one of those came in the Premier League, a 3-1 behind-closed-doors clash in July 2020 during the Covid-19 pandemic.
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‘A little Magpie’ - Jose Mourinho
Speaking to Sky Sports in 2020, Mourinho admitted to feeling a "connection" with Newcastle due to Sir Bobby 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!”
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