"To Jose Mourinho, Newcastle United represents a road never taken. Whenever Mourinho visits St James' Park he takes time to stand by the statue of Sir Bobby Robson outside the Milburn Stand and spend a few minutes paying silent tribute to the memory of his mentor. In 1999 Robson wanted the Portuguese to join him at Newcastle as an assistant manager with a view to eventually taking the top job but Mourinho, who returns to northeast England for a Champions League engagement with Benfica on Tuesday night, declined."
"Instead, Robson's former translator turned No 2 at Barcelona kicked off his own managerial adventure the following year with a brief spell at Benfica. Now, after a turbulent stint at Fenerbahce, the wheel has turned full circle and he is back in charge at the Estadio da Luz after succeeding the sacked Bruno Lage last month. The match on Tuesday night will be the 62year-old's 13th competitive appearance on Tyneside as a manager but previous trips with Chelsea, Manchester United and Tottenham produced only three wins."
Jose Mourinho maintains a personal connection to Newcastle United through Sir Bobby Robson, regularly paying tribute at Robson's statue at St James' Park. Robson offered Mourinho an assistant role in 1999 with a view to the top job, but Mourinho declined and began his managerial career with a brief Benfica spell the following year. After a turbulent period at Fenerbahce, Mourinho returned to Benfica last month following Bruno Lage's dismissal. The upcoming match marks his 13th competitive visit to Tyneside as a manager, with only three prior wins during trips with Chelsea, Manchester United and Tottenham. Eddie Howe acknowledged Mourinho's ties to Newcastle and described him as one of the all-time managerial greats, while noting Mourinho's previously cultivated friendly relations with Newcastle's ownership and potential desire to beat Benfica.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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