Speaking on his podcast, Rio Ferdinand Presents, the former England captain acknowledged that while the delivery was flawed, the manager's character should not be questioned. "I think Jose, in time, will sit there and go, 'Maybe I approached that wrong.' And it doesn't make Jose Mourinho a racist by the way," Ferdinand explained. He continued to praise the manager's relationship with various players he has mentored throughout his decorated career across Europe's top leagues.
"I think Jose Mourinho has done enough for black footballers from all over the world, who look at him like a father figure, to suggest that the guy hasn't got a racist bone in his body. I just think he approached this situation, unfortunately, wrong. I'd love to hear what his thoughts are on it now, actually, since all of it spilled over from those comments," Ferdinand added, expressing a desire for more clarity from the Benfica chief.