Jose Mourinho reveals 'biggest lesson' he learned from Sir Bobby Robson, and how legendary former Newcastle manager prepared him for Premier League

One might not instantly draw parallels between Newcastle United and Jose Mourinho, for he has never been in the home dugout at St James' Park, but his affiliation with the club stems from his storied partnership with Toon legend Sir Bobby Robson, having worked as his assistant coach and translator during his early coaching career. Mourinho looked back on the fond memories that shaped his career.

For Jose Mourinho, a trip to St James' Park is always more evocative than one may assume.

Standing three meters tall outside the home ground of Newcastle United is the statue of Sir Bobby Robson - the manager who represented the club with such distinction for five years between 1999 to 2004, and the coach who moulded Mourinho's early years in the dugout.

Between spells with Sporting CP, FC Porto and Barcelona, Mourinho spent over 115 matches under the tutelage of Robson. Eight trophies were hoisted in that time, preceding a silverware-laden career for Mourinho.

Premier League

Newcastle confirm Jaissle as Howe's successor - 'One of the most exciting young coaches'

18 minutes ago

The Portuguese coach - now in the Benfica dugout - takes his side to Newcastle in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday, a trip which sparked powerful memories of his former tutor Robson, who died aged 76 in 2009.

"The biggest lesson [I learned] is to be a leader, you have to be happy," Mourinho told TNT Sports. "Day-by-day, you have to be happy in the dressing room.

"Not just with the players but the people around you. A happy leader is a good leader.

Mourinho: Robson mentorship ‘one of the reasons’ for my early success in England

Video credit: TNT Sports

"Even if I don’t look happy, if I am always with this face, on my day-by-day when I’m working, I am happy."

Knighted in 2002, Robson brought exciting football to Newcastle following his successful spells with elite clubs abroad. He has been forever immortalised in not only the history of Newcastle, but England too.

"He was in love with this club, how many times he spoke about his pride of being here for so many years. England manager and to be Geordie, a Newcastle man," Mourinho said.

"I grew up close to him, listening to him, maybe one of the reasons why when I came to England in 2004, I was ready.

"I knew so much about it. I was ready, and coming to Newcastle so many times as an opponent I keep learning. I know it’s not the easiest place to play, but I love to come."

Their spell at Barcelona was perhaps their most notable, and Mourinho recalled a key learning from his mentor which has helped him to deal better with defeat.

• Howe: 'Legend' Mourinho left 'very strong impression' on coaching career
• How to watch and stream Newcastle v Benfica in UEFA Champions League

"I have big lessons from him at both levels," Mourinho said. "In Barcelona once we lost a match and I was devastated and he said, 'Jose, if you think about happiness in the other dressing room, you are less sad. At the beginning, I didn’t agree so much, but in the end I agree."

As all good tutors do, there was a moment Robson had to let go of his right-hand man.

That came when Robson was presented the opportunity to manage PSV, which he took. And Mourinho revealed why he was encouraged not to follow.

Mourinho 'one of the legends of the game,' Howe says

Video credit: TNT Sports

"That was the moment," Mourinho said. "Sir Bobby left Barcelona to go back to PSV. In that moment, he was the one that told me you are not going to change Barcelona for PSV.

"If Barcelona wants you to stay, stay. So I stayed in Barcelona. Then, when I had the opportunity to come here [Newcastle as Robson's assistant], in my mind, now I was going to be a head coach. I made the decision, and stayed in Portugal a few years."

Trips to Newcastle have been a regular staple of Mourinho's career, but since his drift away from coaching roles in the Premier League, trips to Tyneside have become more pertinent.

He explained why this particular trip has stirred both positive and negative emotions.

"People that we love, even close family, the day-by-day, the busy days, what you have to think, sometimes you are not thinking about how much you miss that person in your life," Mourinho said.

"There are triggers, when I come here, that’s a trigger. Negative and positive. Negative because I miss him, positive because it was a privilege to live with him for so long."

How to watch Newcastle v Benfica

Newcastle v Benfica will be live on TNT Sports 2, TNT Sports Ultimate and discovery+.

TNT Sports is available across all major TV platforms, offering a line-up of up to four TV channels (TNT Sports 1, TNT Sports 2, TNT Sports 3, TNT Sports 4), and up to six digital or red-button channels (TNT Sports 5 to 10), and TNT Sports Ultimate plus TNT Sports Box Office HD.

You can subscribe to TNT Sports through discovery+, BT, EE, Sky, and Virgin Media.

To find out where your local establishments showing TNT Sports are, use our Pub Finder.

For the latest information on which football matches are on TNT Sports, click here.

Here is the TNT Sports schedule and TV guide. And for the full Premier League schedule, click here.

Transfers

Arsenal push to secure Guimaraes and Vinicius deals - Paper Round

Yesterday at 08:11

Transfers

Mudryk linked with surprise transfer - Paper Round

Yesterday at 09:08