'He Called Himself The Special One'- Chelsea Legend Babayaro Names The Best Manager He's Ever Played For

Former Nigeria international Celestine Babayaro played under world class managers during his illustrious playing career and has rated Portuguese gaffer Jose Mourinho as the best of the lot.

Signed from Anderlecht for a club-record fee for a teenager in 1997, Netherlands legend Ruud Gullit was in the dugout when he first arrived Chelsea, before he was managed by Gianluca Vialli, Ray Wilkins and Jose Mourinho.

The left back played under Graeme Souness, Glenn Roeder and Sam Allardyce at Newcastle United, while he worked with Philippe Troussier, Bora Milutinović, Shuaibu Amodu, Thijs Libregts and Jo Bonfrère at international level.

''I was fortunate to have a great career with Chelsea, I spent eight years with Chelsea, played under Ruud Gullit, Gianluca Vialli, Claudio Ranieri and Jose Mourinho,'' said Babayaro to Nigeria Info FM.

''Jose got into Chelsea in 2004 when Abramovich took over Chelsea. I had a fantastic time with Jose, I only had a year with Jose.

''Jose, like he called himself the special one, was brilliant. He opened my eyes to a lot of things in football, the man is down to details especially if it comes to training.

''He's one of a kind, for me, Jose is the best coach I've ever played for.''

Mourinho, who has been unemployed since departing Manchester United in December 2018, has won the league titles in Portugal, Spain, England and Italy.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

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