'You never see anything' – Boniface recalls message to Mourinho before his worst loss as manager

Victor Boniface has lifted the lid on a lighthearted online exchange he had with José Mourinho ahead of what turned out to be the Portuguese manager's heaviest defeat in his illustrious career.

Eleven years after a 5-0 defeat to Barcelona while in charge of Real Madrid, Mourinho suffered another humiliating loss as his AS Roma side were dismantled 6-1 by Bodo/Glimt in the UEFA Conference League group stage.

Boniface revisited his days at Norwegian club Bodo/Glimt, describing the bitter cold in the Arctic city and the challenges it posed even for seasoned professionals.

"I played in Norway, one of the coldest countries in the world. I played for Bodø/Glimt — the city is too small,” Boniface said on The Culture League Podcast.

“From the airport to the stadium is like a three-minute drive, from our stadium to my house is a two-minute walk, and it’s surrounded by sea. It is freezing.”

Boniface recalled how he initially thought the harsh conditions were only difficult for him as a newcomer from Africa until a high-profile UEFA Conference League tie against AS Roma on October 21, 2021.

"Mourinho came to the pitch, walked inside, took his phone, recorded everything and posted: ‘This is the situation, we’re about to play, very cold.’

"He posted it. I commented on that same post because I didn't know I'd be at this level today. I said to him, 'You never see anything."

Boniface painted a vivid picture of the extreme conditions on matchday. 

"Scandinavians are used to the cold. Before the warm-up of the game, this boot they use for snow was what we used to sit on the bench. It was so cold we had to use body oil."

Boniface was unavailable for the match against AS Roma because he was recovering from a cruciate ligament injury.
 

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

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