Ranked as one of the best coaches in recent decades, José Mourinho has undoubtedly left his mark on the history of football.
Triumphant with Porto, winning the Champions League in 2004, the Portuguese then went on to confirm his talent on the sidelines of Inter Milan and Real Madrid.
The tactician also had stints in the Premier League, managing Tottenham and Chelsea.
With the Blues, he notably excelled, consistently reaching the summit, aided by a solid team.
His success is also attributed to his dedication to work, sometimes even flouting the rules set for him.
An attitude that nearly cost him his life, according to revelations from the Portuguese coach that are circulating on the web. In 2005, while he was the manager of Chelsea Football Club, Mourinho was suspended by UEFA for the Champions League quarter-final against Bayern Munich.
Determined, the coach wanted desperately to speak to his players to motivate and galvanize them before one of the most important matches of the year. However, he was forced to make a decision that ultimately proved to be a huge risk.
“I went into the dressing room early in the day, I was there from noon and the match was at 7:00 pm. I wanted to be in the dressing room when the players arrived. So I went in, and nobody saw me.
The problem was leaving from there afterward. And Stuart (the kit man) put me in the laundry basket. A metal basket. So I hid in there with only a small opening to breathe. But when Stuart took the basket outside, UEFA people had heard that I was around and they were trying to find me.
So Stuart completely closed the basket while I was inside! I couldn’t breathe, when he opened the basket I was suffocating! I’m serious, this is very serious! I swear it’s true.”
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