Not everyone gets a road named after them in their hometown but Jose Mourinho is not just anyone.
The Manchester United manager was honoured back home in Setubal on Tuesday as the Portuguese town honoured one of their most famous sons.
The local authority have renamed the former Rua da Saude as Avenida Jose Mourinho in recognition of the 54-year-old’s achievements in football, and the ex-Chelsea and Real Madrid boss was humbled by the decision.
He said: ‘Setubal is still the only city where I feel like myself, Ze, Ze Mario.Where people treat me normally and make me feel good.
‘I’m pure Setubal, with all the qualities and defects.. this honour moves me.
‘I come to Setubal because I love Setubal, because my friends call me Ze (Mourinho’s Portuguese nickname is Ze Mario) and they leave this “Special One” bulls***.’
Setubal mayor Maria das Dores Meira was gushing in her praise of Mourinho
She described him as a ‘son of Setubal, a man of the world, a global personality’ and ‘one of those Setubalenses who fill us with pride because he is really special, has a special talent, has special love for their land ‘.
Setubal announced their intent to give the road Mourinho’s name back in 2013, as the town marked his 50th birthday.
When asked if he would ever return to the area to live, however, the United coach remained non-committal.
‘I do not know what I’ll do in post-football – I’ll be following children and grandchildren – but Setubal is always our home.’
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