Jose Mourinho pays tribute to Manuel Preciado

“I’m not one to pretend to extol the life of Manuel Preciado, who has broken into a thousand pieces today. But as a colleague and man of football I wish to send in this very hard times my humble message to all his family, the people of Sporting, Racing, Levante and Villareal, a club that he would have rescued from the Second Division, and to all the teams where he has left his mark. Manolo was always a worthy opponent, who I got to know well when he came to visit last March at the Ciudad Real Madrid in Valdebebas. He had everything that I like in people and sportsmen: character, openness and courage to fight against the blows, which were cruelly hard on him. A great figure of football has left and above all a very special person. All my encouragement and support for those who have a special place for him in their heart. My memory of him will be permanent.”

-Jose Mourinho