Mourinho joins special UK ´club´

A ‘very proud’ Jose Mourinho praised English football as he was inducted into the League Managers Association (LMA) Hall of Fame on Sunday.

Mourinho, who led Inter Milan to the treble last season and now manages Spanish giants Real Madrid, was invited to speak as a guest of honour at the LMA’s annual Hall of Fame dinner at London’s Park Lane hotel.

The 47-year-old spent just over three seasons with Premier League club Chelsea before his move to Inter, and told the assembled audience his time in England remains the highlight of his career.

“I am very proud of this because I am not British and I spent just over three years in the Premier League – which is not a significant time to create a big history,” Mourinho said.

“But the time I spent here was the best time of my career so far – and that’s despite winning the Champions League in Portugal and Italy.”

“The atmosphere, the intensity and the emotion in England is something you cannot compare with other countries and for somebody who is really in love with the game, as I am, this is the place where you enjoy it the most.”

Mourinho also praised Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson, who said earlier this week he has no intention of retiring despite his 68th birthday approaching in December.

“I hope he continues for years and I get to face him a few more times,” Mourinho said.

“When I am in my 50s or 60s, I also see myself still in football with the same ambitions and desires. So I understand why he wants to continue. It was the same with Bobby Robson. I see myself continuing for many years.”