Jose Mourinho has opened up about his special relationship with former Chelsea and Real Madrid midfielder Michael Essien, saying: "he was more than a player to me – he is my son”.
In a recent interview, Mourinho showed a side of him we have rarely seen in recent years.
The Portuguese coach’s former ‘Special One’ charm appears to have slowly ebbed away after a three-year spell at Real Madrid and a return to Chelsea both ended badly.
Since his appointment at Manchester United, Mourinho has been more confrontational with the press and his players, and has often cut a frustrated figure in the dugout.