Former Chelsea, Real Madrid, and Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has opened up on his relationship with some of his former players, stating that ‘I cannot go to Africa.’

Mourinho revealed his admiration for African players he has worked with in his career, stating that he loves working with African players.

Speaking in an interview, FIVE, presented by Rio Ferdinand, said he had to ask one of his former players, Essien, to stop calling him “daddy” after he was nicknamed as such by the former Ghanian star.

His words: “I cannot go to Africa.

“Too much everywhere (fanfare). Because, you know, I had, you know, Didier Drogba, Ivory Coast; Geremi, Cameroon; Kalou, Ivory Coast; Obi Mikel, Nigeria; and Essien, Ghana; I have guys all around the world.

“Every time I go to Africa, I cannot walk. The guys love me. Even in Europe, with many African guys, people really love me.

“To be honest, I love the guys, and I feel that the African player is very loyal and very pure.

“Many of them call me daddy, and some of them are almost my age. When Essien calls me daddy, I say, ‘Michael Come on, don’t call me daddy, we’re almost my age,” the 61-year-old said jokingly.

Mourinho also revealed he loved to work with African players.

He said, “But you know this affection exists; you know I love the guys. I love to work with African players.

“I think I take the best out of the guys.

“I think the guys see me as somebody who really loves them and admires their qualities as players. I always loved them, and I always had great responses from African players.” (Vanguard)

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