Mourinho had reporters gripped on every word during a captivating press conference ahead of Newcastle vs Benfica
Sean McCormick is a football writer covering Newcastle United for ChronicleLive. After starting his career covering North East sport, he has had a spell working as an editor on the Manchester Evening News. He also writes about darts and boxing. He joined us in 2016.
SL Benfica Head Coach José Mourinho speaks to the media ahead of the UEFA Champions League match against Newcastle United
SL Benfica Head Coach José Mourinho speaks to the media ahead of the UEFA Champions League match against Newcastle United
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It is a mark of the respect Jose Mourinho holds Newcastle United in that he gave members of the written press more than half an hour of his time on Monday evening - well over the 15 minute guide mark for UEFA press conferences.
The Benfica boss was slightly delayed in arriving at St James' Park to deliver his pre-match press conference and while he looked tired from the journey, he made sure to answer countless questions from both the Portuguese press and the English media.
From the moment he walked in, Mourinho had the room gripped on his every word. As he dealt with questions about Benfica's upcoming presidential elections and their start of the season, it wasn't long until he was asked about his relationship with the late Sir Bobby Robson.
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Mourinho was famously Robson's interpreter and then assistant manager at Sporting CP, Porto and then Barcelona and the affection with which his former boss talked about Newcastle had a lasting effect on the self-proclaimed 'Special One'.
"I felt something special even before Mr Robson passed away," Mourinho began. "After he left I started feeling that closeness but unfortunately in our day to day, even with people we love, they move on. We miss these people. Sometimes the door opens again for these people to return to our thinking.
"I worked with Mr Robson for six years and there wasn't a single day he didn't show his passion for Newcastle, for the city, for the region, for the football club.
"The way he spoke about it I have never hidden as a manager of other English clubs. I have never hidden how dear Newcastle is to me because of the influence of a legendary person at this club."
Such was Robson's influence, Mourinho has described himself as a 'Little Magpie' and when explaining to the Portuguese press what to expect from the St James' Park atmosphere, it sounded more like a love letter towards Newcastle.
"It is not just the stadium, it is the passion of the people and the fans," Mourinho began.
"The economic power they have has allowed them to compete and win for the first time in a long time as they did with the League Cup. They have played two seasons in the Champions League which is very difficult.
"It is a team that is very close to even bigger things that the people here deserve. It is a totally different culture to London and I love playing here. I said that to the players when I spoke to them yesterday, even as an opponent it is beautiful playing here. You will see tomorrow it is an extraordinary atmosphere here."
Understandably, the question then followed. Has he ever been close to being manager of Newcastle and is it a regret he has never managed in the St James' Park dugout?
"I don't regret not managing here because I have never been contacted by Newcastle," Mourinho added. "Now they don't need a coach and I hope they don't need one for the next few years which means everything has gone well and gone well for Eddie.
"I was close to coming with Sir Bobby [as an assistant]. I made my mind up and I knew the direction I wanted to go and one of the qualities of an assistant is to be ready to give everything for your boss and not yourself.
"I was already thinking about myself and I never wanted to be an assistant when I wasn't ready to give everything. There has been lots of media talk but I have never been contacted by Newcastle."
Mourinho ended by sending his condolences to former Newcastle defender Stuart Pearce for the tragic loss of his son and with that he had left the room.
There were cheers from both fans of Benfica and Newcastle as he left the stadium and the reaction of the room, still captivated by the former Chelsea, Manchester United, Real Madrid and Inter Milan manager's comments, showed he has not lost any of the aura he displayed when he first arrived in England 21 years ago, fresh off winning the Champions League with Porto.
His achievements speak for himself and his impact on English football goes without saying. He certainly made a big impression on Newcastle boss Eddie Howe during his formative years as a manager
"I think you have to. Look what he did," Howe said when asked if Mourinho goes down as one of the all-time Premier League great managers.
"I’m not just saying that because we are playing them tomorrow, I genuinely believe it. The impact he made initially was incredible really. He had an aura around him and his teams.
"His teams were always very difficult to beat. I remember watching his teams in my very early days as a head coach, when I was looking to mould the way I wanted to play and what I was thinking about coaching wise, he had a big impact."
Newcastle goalkeeper Nick Pope also spoke fondly of Chelsea's record-breaking team, whose goalkeeper Petr Cech conceded just 15 goals en route to winning the Premier League title with 95 points back in 2004/05.
"I remember his Chelsea team letting in about 15 goals in a season," Pope added. "As a goalie, that always sticks out and obviously coming in and and winning straight away, really. And doing it with a certain style and certain charisma.
"As a football fan, you probably don't forget that sort of spell he had at Chelsea."
Mourinho's star may be fading now and Newcastle will head into tomorrow's Champions League clash against his Benfica side as heavy favourites. But his lasting impact on English football cannot be overstated and his respect for Newcastle, 'Mister Robson' and Howe means he will always hold a special place in the hearts of Magpies fans.
A line will need to be drawn under that respect on Tuesday evening, with a win vital for both team's prospects. Whatever the outcome, though, Mourinho's touchline antics will be must-see viewing.