Mourinho and Matilde at the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show in December 2014. (Getty)
Jose Mourinho told the world many times while he was at Chelsea that he had to leave games early so that he could call his wife and tell her the score. That’s not going to be a problem anymore after “The Special One” was removed from his job as Chelsea coach on December 17. So, it’s unlikely that him or Matilde ‘Tami’ Faria will care much about how the Blues get on this season.
Here’s what you need to know:
1. Mourinho Previously Said ‘The Most Important Thing Is My Family & Being a Good Father’
Mourinho with daughter Matilde attends the GQ Men Of The Year Awards at The Royal Opera House on September 8, 2015 in London, England. (Getty)
In a 2004 interview with The Observer, while he was in his first spell as Chelsea boss, Mourinho said that the “most important thing is my family and being a good father.” He and his wife have been married since 1989. They met in Setubal, Portugal as teenagers. They grow up one street away from each other, reports the Daily Telegraph.
Jose Mourinho’s tattoo which shows the name of his wife as well as their two children. (Getty)
Together, they have two children, Matilde, who was born in 1996, and son, Jose Mario, who was born in 2000. He’s a budding soccer star, first with, with CD Canillas, and now with Fulham where he plays as a goalkeeper. When Mourinho was named New Statesman Man of the Year in 2005 he was described as “a man devoted to both his family and his work.” He cemented his love for his family in July 2013 when he got his wife and kid’s names tattooed on his arm.
2. When Mourinho Was Named 9th Most Influential Person in the World, He Said That His Wife Must Be ‘Eighth, at Least’ Position
Mourinho and his family pose for pictures as they arrive for the world premiere of The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1 in London’s Leicester Square in November 2014. (Getty)
When he was named No.9 on AskMen’s list of the world’s most influential men he told a Spanish journalist, “What position is my wife in? Eighth, at least. That is crazy. I’m not even in charge of my own home.” He and his wife are both practicing Catholics and are involved in charities in their hometown of Setubal.
3. Mourinho ‘Never’ Talks Soccer With His Wife
He told The Daily Telegraph in 2014 he never discusses soccer with Faria, saying:
It’s not her world. Be in a club that I like. Be in a place that I enjoy. Work with people that I like. That is basically the advice [she gives] because when that happens life at home for everyone will be better. But it is difficult. Even if I can separate things, sometimes they can’t.
If I lose an important match, I try to go home with a nice face, tomorrow is another day, and it’s just a game of football and so on and so on. But I arrive at home, and they have the bad face!” He laughs. “They are sad for me!
4. In 2007, Mourinho Was Accused of Cheating on His Wife With a Woman Named Elsa Sousa
Matilde Faria (L) and daughter Matilde (2L) watch a Chelsea game. (Getty)
The Sun reported in 2007 that Mourinho was in the midst of an affair with a woman named Elsa Sousa. This came just after he was fired from Chelsea the last time. The British tabloid’s article read, “The Special One, fed her chocolate-chip cookies as they romped – while playing Bryan Adams’ hit Everything I Do, I Do It For You.” Elsa allegedly said at the time of the affair, “I loved Jose very much. The chemistry between us was electrifying. He was very gentle, sweet and attentive.”
5. Bayern Munich Coach Pep Guardiola Is the Favorite to Replace Mourinho at Chelsea
(Getty)
With Mourinho gone from Chelsea, every available manager in world soccer will be eager to make the case why they should get the job as one of the best paid coaches in soccer. Amid news that he will leave Bayern Munich at the end of the 2016 season, Pep Guardiola, eternal rival of Mourinho, has been made the favorite for the role. It’s likely though that Chelsea will appoint an interim between now and the end of the season. Names mentioned in that bracket are Brendan Rodgers, Guus Hiddink and Carlo Ancelotti.