GettyImagesJose Mourinho: The "Only One"?
With English, Italian and Spanish league medals won in recent seasons, former Chelsea and Inter Milan boss Mourinho has claimed it is time for a new nickname.
"In England, I was presented as the 'Special One'," Mourinho told Portuguese TV channel SIC on Monday night.
"Thanks to God, things have gone well and, whether you like it or not, I am the only one who has won the English, Italian and Spanish championships. So, more than the 'Special One', they must begin to call me the 'Only One'."
Mourinho, who gave himself the Special One moniker in his first press conference as Chelsea manager, said he was now motivated by helping those around him to achieve their personal ambitions.
"After having won practically everything, as time has passed I have become less self-centred and egocentric," he said. "I have always liked more the joy of other people, those around me. For this, winning with Inter gave me a special pleasure. These are challenges, not personal goals. I also think I could have been a good human resources executive."
The coach, who was taking an advantage of this week's international break to return to his home country ahead of La Liga's kick off next weekend, claimed people did not know the real Jose Mourinho.
"In 2010, I was chosen best coach in the world, in 2011 I was chosen second, now I do not worry about the position I am in," he said.
"The pressure is not the hardest thing about being a manager - the most difficult is that other people do not have a true image of me. I still hope to continue for many years at the highest level, but I also want to enjoy many things in my life."
Mourinho, 49, said managing teams in different leagues around Europe had made him a better coach. "I am about to turn 50 years old and I feel as if I were beginning my career as a coach," he added.
"At the beginning, I knew I had some qualities, but I was far from imagining I would get to where I am today. I have not raced from eight to 80 - it has been a progressive journey. Winning the Champions League in Portugal [with Porto in 2004] prepared me to go abroad.
"I left prepared and with status. The richness of my development as a man and as a coach has been the result of jumping from country to country. That has made me a much better coach."
His current challenge of taking on Barcelona was particularly enjoyable, as Spain's big two clubs were so far ahead of rivals in other leagues, the Madrid boss added.
"It is a consequence of the footballing power of the two clubs," he said. "The best team from England, or Germany, Holland, or from any other country, the most they could do in Spain would be third place.
"This duel of titans forces the clubs and the players to become better. It is a healthy duel and I enjoy it. The two clubs are fighting for world football hegemony."
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