Jose Mourinho is one of the most successful and most revered managers off all time. As a result, when the Portuguese tactician was asked by Manchester Evening News (as per the Daily Mail) to name his all-time XI of players he has coached, a few talented names were bound to miss out. After all, the Special One has been in charge of special talents throughout his time at Porto, Inter Milan, Real Madrid, and his two spells at Chelsea.
However, not many would have presumed a Real Madrid legend, a man regarded by many as an icon of modern football, would miss out. That player was none other than Sergio Ramos, one of the most decorated and idolized center-backs in the beautiful game.
The four-time UEFA Champions League winner, five-time La Liga champion, and 2010 World Cup winner failed to make Jose's list. Instead, Mourinho opted for the center-back partnership of John Terry and Ricardo Carvalho.
While this might come as a surprise to some, it is understandable. Real Madrid were not known for being defensively solid during Mourinho's reign but Chelsea under Jose's first spell in charge were impenetrable. In his first year in charge of the Blues, the only conceded 15 goals throughout the 2004/05 Premier League season which is a truly remarkable feat.
Joining the former Chelsea duo in defense are William Gallas and Javier Zanetti, the latter being the iconic Argentine full-back who won the treble during Jose's short spell at Inter Milan. In goal is Petr Cech, one of the greatest keepers in Premier League history.
Two of the three midfielders Jose chose were Claude Makélélé and Frank Lampard, two midfield great whom the current Spurs boss had the honor of coaching. Joining the pair is Mesut Ozil, the German midfielder who inherited the nickname "The Assist King" during his time under the 57-year-old gaffer at Santiago Bernabeu.
While one Real Madrid icon was overlooked in the form of Ramos, there was no snubbing Cristiano Ronaldo. No one can argue against the five-time Ballon'd'Or winner making this list, scoring an astonishing 168 goals in 164 games for Jose.
Mourinho's all-time XI (image via the Daily Mail)
Joining Ronaldo in attack are another two former Chelsea men: Eden Hazard on the flank and Didier Drogba as the number 9. Harry Kane is currently doing amazing under the Special One's guidance but will need to lift several trophies before he can overtake the Ivorian legend. Elsewhere, Xabi Alonso, Marcelo, Wesley Sneijder, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, and Samuel Eto'o might feel unlucky to have missed out.
