Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho talks Jaguars, Range Rovers and why he only settles for luxury behind the wheel
The football manager admits he is obsessed with quality when it comes to motors
JOSE MOURINHO is running on time.
Not “celebrity time”, as one might expect from a “celebrity manager”, meaning at least an hour’s wait.
Not even “Fergie time”.
He’s here bang on time.
Military precision to match his new military haircut. Impressive.
It’s Monday afternoon, almost 24 hours after another big result for Man United, and we meet at a fancy Manchester hotel.
I’ve got ten minutes with Mourinho. Exactly ten minutes.
Football is off the menu.
Well, maybe a leeeetle digestif later.
Today, the Special One is talking cars, his special cars. And the clock is ticking . . .
Have you ever rewarded yourself with a special car?
“Yes, once, in 2010. It was the best season of my career.
"I won every competition with Inter. We did the famous treble — the league, the cup and the Champions League. At the same time I won the first Fifa gold ball for a manager.
“So, 2010 was the perfect, perfect season and I bought a car, an Aston Martin Rapide.
"When I bought it I said to my son and to my daughter, ‘That’s not for sale, you must keep it forever’.
“Also because it has an inscription. It’s hidden, it’s not something you can see in the car if you don’t know it.
“But all the titles and the date, everything is engraved.
“It was the only time that I bought a car with the intention of ‘let’s keep it’.
";It’s something to keep like a medal, like a cup replica.
“I used to keep watches after I win one of these big finals.
"I used to keep the watch that I wear on this day and don’t wear it again. Just keep it.”
Good choice. But why not a Ferrari or a Lamborghini?
“I have a Ferrari already, the Scaglietti, also four seats.”
(That was a gift from Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich. It looks like the 612 Sessanta, one of 60 made to mark Ferrari’s 60th birthday.)
“I try not to be a selfish driver and try never to buy a car with just two seats. I like the concept of the Rapide and I decided that was the car to remember 2010.”
Today you have an XJ as part of a Jaguar deal, right?
“It’s part of the ambassador role but, independent of the ambassador role, I wouldn’t change the cars I have now because they are absolutely perfect for me.
“I have the XJ, the limo, to be driven.
"I have it every day to go to work, to go from work, to go to matches, to leave matches, to go to London. It’s absolutely perfect.
"It’s like a private jet for the road.
"And in a different concept, I think the Range Rover is perfect.
"So the cars I have in England in this moment I wouldn’t change them.”
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You clearly like British cars?
“I like. I like. If you ask me ‘am I obsessed with quality?’ Yes I am.
“For me a car is like a little flat, a little apartment, right?
"I like to feel good. I like some space.
"My concept of luxury is to feel super-comfortable.
"I like the space, I like the leather, I like the TV, I like good sound, I like an amazing screen for navigation. I like all these little details.
"Of course, on top of that, I’m not an expert but I like performance.
"I like a car that can respond when I drive.
"I don’t risk too much in England because in England I have to admit I’m not a good driver.”
Really? Why?
“It’s a little bit confused for me the traffic on the other way and the steering on the right side.
"I have never really adapted very well. I have to be very focused not to make mistakes.
“When I land in Portugal, it’s my time to enjoy and it’s my car to drive.
"In England, the traffic comes here, priorities there, and on top of that, I work in the car many times.
"So to have a driver, plenty of space, my telephone, my iPad, television, it’s better for me.”
Didn’t you get banned for speeding here?
“Yes. Yes. I lost my driving licence for a few months.
"It was a place where I had to go 40mph and for five, six, consecutive times, because it was a road I was going all the time, I was caught going 47, 48, 51.
“Just by a lack of concentration and going over the limit, I did nothing dangerous, it was not like somebody caught me doing 120, no.”
Last question. Football.
If you were offered the England job, would you take it . . . it comes with a free Vauxhall?
“The most important thing is the job and when you get a job in football, you get everything that comes with it.
“I think a Vauxhall is very respectful.
"It wouldn’t be a problem for me.
"I’m a really humble person and that wouldn’t be a problem at all.”
I’ll take that as a Yes, then.
Time’s up. All done.
Jose is off to do some filming. But he’s now four minutes late. Sorry.
What a nice Portugeezer.