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Despite his high-profile struggles with Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur, Jose Mourinho remains one of the most successful managers in world football. The "Special One" has won 25 major trophies in his coaching career and is acknowledged as one of the most influential head coaches of the 21st century.
With stints at Porto, Chelsea, Inter Milan, Real Madrid, Manchester United, Tottenham and Roma, Mourinho has never been one to shy away from a tough job. The Portuguese manager has eight league titles and two UEFA Champions League crowns to his name and has lived up to his tag of a "serial winner."
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While it is impossible to deny the greatness of his past achievements, it is true that Mourinho has failed to meet his own lofty standards in recent years.
An ugly and confrontational end to his time at Old Trafford was followed by a disappointing return to London with Spurs. A bright start to life at Roma suggested a comeback might be on but the Italian side's form has dropped off a cliff in recent months.
As Mourinho continues to grapple with European football's rapidly evolving game, we look at the five greatest players who have been coached by the Portuguese:
(Honorable mentions: Sergio Ramos, Petr Cech, Ricardo Carvalho, Javier Zanetti, Diego Milito, Maicon, Michael Essien, Angel Di Maria, Mesut Ozil.)
#5 Zlatan Ibrahimovic
Legendary Swedish striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic has linked up with Jose Mourinho on two separate occasions. The first instance was at Inter Milan in 2008 and lasted just one season. It was followed by a reunion at Manchester United between 2016 and 2018.
Ibrahimovic has played 100 games under the Portuguese boss, scoring 58 goals and providing 21 assists. Together, they won a Serie A title, an Italian Super Cup, the EFL League Cup and a UEFA Europa League trophy.
The striker has not held back in his praise for Mourinho in the past. In his autobiography, "I Am Zlatan Ibrahimovic, he wrote:
"Jose Mourinho is a big star. He would become a guy I was basically willing to die for. I was doing totally amazing things, but Mourinho had a face like a wet weekend. One way or another, I was going to make that man cheer. It happened, but only once we had won three titles and I was top goalscorer. If Mourinho lights up the room, Guardiola draws the curtains."
#4 John Terry
Jose Mourinho and John Terry formed a strong bond at Chelsea across two different spells. The manager chose the centre-back as his team captain when he first arrived in London from Porto in 2004. The England international would go on to play 266 games for Mourinho, while establishing himself as one of the greatest defenders of his generation.
Terry was at the heart of Chelsea's unbelievable defensive record in their title-winning 2004-05 season. The Blues conceded just 15 goals and lost only once in 38 games en route to the Premier League crown. It remains the best defensive season in the history of English football's top-flight.
With the help of Terry and Ricardo Carvalho's formidable defensive pairing, Mourinho would go 86 straight games unbeaten at home.
Terry and Mourinho have won eight trophies together, including three Premier League titles, three League Cups, an FA Cup and a Community Shield.
#3 Didier Drogba
Jose Mourinho has always turned to powerful, physically intimidating strikers to lead his attacking line. Chelsea legend Didier Drogba is one of the finest players to have operated under the Portuguese manager. The Ivorian forward played 186 games under Mourinho, scoring 73 goals and recording 40 assists.
Although Drogba's consistency often came under the scanner, he was undoubtedly a man for the big occasion, scoring in numerous finals and important games. His powerful frame, clever hold-up play and willingness to cover every blade of grass on the pitch was a vital part of Mourinho's defence-oriented approach.
Drogba played a role in all eight of Mourinho's trophy wins at Chelsea and was also the top scorer during the 2006-07 Premier League season.
#2 Frank Lampard
Chelsea's all-time record goalscorer with 211 strikes, Frank Lampard flourished under Jose Mourinho's tutelage. The England midfielder played 215 games under the Special One, scoring 71 goals and providing 60 assists.
Mourinho's defensive strategy allowed Lampard to push up the pitch and gave him the freedom to make driving runs into the opposition's box from midfield. The Englishman terrorized defenses and established himself as arguably the greatest goalscoring midfielder to have graced the game.
The duo won two Premier League titles, two League Cups, an FA Cup and a Community Shield.
#1 Cristiano Ronaldo
Compatriots Cristiano Ronaldo and Jose Mourinho joined forces at Real Madrid in 2010. It is difficult to evaluate their partnership, especially since there remains a tinge of disappointment around Mourinho's time with Los Blancos.
Yes, they won trophies but it could have been so much more. Nonetheless, there is no doubt Ronaldo became a better player while operating under the controversial manager. The Portuguese superstar played 164 games under Mourinho, scoring a sensational 168 goals and laying out 49 assists.
Their pairing peaked in the 2011-12 season as Real Madrid romped to the La Liga title, beating Pep Guardiola's formidable Barcelona side. Los Blancos scored an astonishing 121 goals in 38 league games, which remains the highest-ever return by a team in a single La Liga campaign.
Meanwhile, Ronaldo netted 60 goals and provided 22 assists, including 46 league goals, the second-highest tally of his career so far.
Despite forming one of the greatest attacks of all time, Ronaldo and Mourinho won only three trophies together. In addition to the La Liga title, they also won a Copa del Rey trophy and a Spanish Super Cup.
