Portugal legend Pepe has heaped praise on his former manager Jose Mourinho following his return to management with Benfica. The pair worked together at Real Madrid in what was, at times, a fractious relationship. But Pepe is delighted to see Mourinho back in his homeland, after he took his place in the dugout at the Estadio da Luz.
Pepe shows Mourinho respect
Mourinho left Fenerbahce after the club failed to qualify for the Champions League proper, but was picked up almost immediately by Benfica, a move Pepe is delighted with. The iconic former centre-back told A Bola: "We have a coach who has just arrived at Benfica and who I know well and who certainly won't give up on a game. Having a coach like Mourinho in our league is always beneficial for the way the game is played, and I think everyone is now engaged in his press conferences. It's even good for the European and international level, globally, because Mourinho attracts a lot of people who can also see the quality of Portuguese football.
"I was trained by him, I know his skills, and he's an excellent coach who will surely do everything he can to help Benfica win. I hope that doesn't happen, because as I've said, I want FC Porto to win titles again. I don't think Mourinho has lost anything; he's still Mourinho. I also speak from experience. The years teach us many things; we don't give so much to our blood or our heart, but rather to our reason, and Mourinho has been improving this. Now he's a much more… not calm, but much more thoughtful coach than he was when his club drew or lost."
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Mourinho's tenure in the Spanish capital included a complex relationship with Pepe, which was characterised by both reliance and friction between the pair. The Portuguese tactician utilised the player's strength and aggression as a cornerstone of his defensive tactics, sometimes even deploying him as a No.6. Pepe was a key figure in Mourinho's early successes at the Spanish giants, including winning La Liga. However, the relationship deteriorated, particularly towards the end of the head coach's spell in May 2013. Pepe expressed regret over the manager's handling of captain Iker Casillas. Mourinho, in turn, attributed the central defender's criticism to frustration over losing his starting spot to Raphael Varane. This public disagreement highlighted the tensions that arose between the two during Mourinho's final season at the club.
Mourinho’s history of falling out with players
Mourinho has had several well-documented fallouts with players throughout his managerial career, often stemming from his direct and demanding management style. These disputes often revolved around perceived lack of effort, tactical disagreements, or poor performances. One of the most notable examples is the strained relationship with Paul Pogba during his time as boss of Manchester United. Mourinho publicly criticised Pogba's attitude and leadership, once reportedly telling him he was "like a person with a flu, with a virus in a closed room – you pass that virus to the others". Their disagreements escalated, culminating in a training ground confrontation captured on camera. Other players who have experienced Mourinho's wrath include Luke Shaw, who received repeated public criticism regarding his fitness and professionalism, Eden Hazard due to his defensive work-rate at Chelsea, and Casillas was dropped during the prickly coach's time in Madrid.
AFPPepe’s twilight years
Pepe enjoyed a remarkable twilight to his career with Porto and the Portugal national team before retiring in 2024 at age 41. He showcased incredible longevity and elite performance, culminating in significant records and tournament appearances. He played a key role for Porto, captaining the side and helping them win the Portuguese Cup in 2023. That year, he became the oldest outfield player to compete in and score in the Champions League. He was already the oldest player to score in a knockout stage match at the 2022 World Cup. His final match was Portugal's quarter-final defeat at Euro 2024, and he officially announced his retirement in August of that year.
