“I left – I went to the bus to say goodbye and I didn’t even press a hand,” says Mourinho.
“I wanted to escape. I think if I get to the bus, if I come back with them to Milan, if I get in a full San Siro, if I enter the Duomo [Milan Cathedral] Full of people, I don’t think I would go to Real Madrid.
“I think emotion would keep me from going.
“But I wanted to go. I thought it was the right time. I had to escape.
“Marco was there. If, instead of Marco, whether Dejan Stankovic, or Diego Milito or Julio Cesar, would have been the same story.”
In many ways, the duality of this moment defines Mourinho and the question of how he won his two Champions League titles.
Create a fiercely loyal relationship with its players off the field, which ensured that the side that stepped on the field was comfortable, both running down the walls and with the back to the wall.
Fifteen years later, Mourinho may have softened a little. Your man management skills and star quality may also have diminished.
But the ego, the confidence and pride of their Champions League victories that define their career remain as strong as ever.
While Mourinho observes, both his port and triumphs were not repeated.
“Why am I now here talking to you?” He says.
“It’s not because now I’m at Fenerbahce, or because I won the Premier League with Chelsea.
“It’s because I’m a Double Champions League winner. That’s the reason.
“I think there are other teams and clubs that, when you do it, other guys [managers] So do it.
“I do this season. You do next season. Three years later, another will come and so people will be confused what season you won.
“You go to Real Madrid, Barcelona, to Manchester United, for these great teams and perhaps people don’t have the same feeling.
“But you go to Porto and you go to Milan and everyone knows.
“2004 Champions League winner, 2010 Champions League winner.
“Who was the coach? Mourinho.”
