Claim: Multiple media sources claim that AS Roma manager and former Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho has named his best XI out of the players he coached.
Verdict: This is false. The Special One, as Jose Mourinho described himself, has disputed the media report, labelling it “fake news.” The alleged originator of the claim, The Obi One podcast, run by former Chelsea midfielder John Mikel Obi, deleted the post from its media platforms hours after Mourinho issued the disclaimer.
Full Text
Multiple media reports have alleged AS Roma boss and former Chelsea manager, Jose Mourinho has named his best XI out of the many football stars he has coached.
The Portuguese, currently the manager of Roma, enjoyed two spells at Chelsea, Real Madrid, Inter Milan, Porto, Manchester United, and Tottenham.
Mourinho reportedly revealed his greatest-ever XI to The Obi One Podcast, the players he would select if he were to build his dream team.
With a 4-3-3 formation, the respected manager allegedly picked former Chelsea players in his defence with William Gallas, John Terry, and Ricardo Carvalho.
Inter Milan legend Javier Zanetti occupies the right-back position, Claude Makelele takes up the defence midfield position, and England and Chelsea favourite Frank Lampard are in the middle.
The others are Lampard, Mesut Ozil, Didier Drogba, Cristiano Ronaldo and Eden Hazard, the Obi One Podcast alleged.
The claim originating from The Obi One Podcast was reported by several local and international media houses, including the UK’s Daily Mail, the U.S Sun, Accra-based Citi FM, and Accra-based Adomonline.
Nigerian-based Daily Post reported on Dec. 14, 2023, that:
“Roma manager Jose Mourinho has named the best XI players he has coached in his career while speaking to ex-Super Eagles captain Mikel John Obi on his podcast.”
Accra-based Citi FM reported on Dec. 15, 2023, that:
“Former Black Stars midfielder Michael Essien has missed out on Portuguese coach Jose Mourinho’s team of players he has coached in his illustrious career.”
Also, see similar reports here, here, and here.
Mourinho has reportedly appeared on The Obi One Podcast, which is expected to be aired on Monday, Dec. 18, 2023.
DUBAWA decided to verify the claim because of its viral nature and the attention it has received from media organisations.
Verification
As Jose Mourinho described himself, the Special One has disputed the media report, labelling it “fake news.”
In a post on his Instagram page on Dec. 15, 2023, Mourinho said he “never did this. I always refused to do it.”
The former Chelsea boss said it is “impossible” for him to select his best XI out of the many stars he had the opportunity to coach.
“I never did, and I will never do. I’ve had so many top players, but the most important thing is that those players gave to me,” he wrote.
According to Mourinho, the players who gave him “quality, effort, blood, and soul, they are all in my best eleven. All of them.”
“That’s why I always refused to choose my best eleven. I love my players, I respect my players,” Mourinho added.
The AS Roma manager has asked the rumour mongers to respect “my history and respect my boys.”
The disclaimer issued by Mourinho has been published by several reputable media outlets worldwide, including Talk Sport and Goal.com, among others.
Also, the alleged originator of the claim, The Obi One Podcast, deleted the post from its media platforms hours after Mourinho disputed it.
When DUBAWA visited the social media platforms of The Obi One Podcast, the said post was not there.
Conclusion
Roma boss Jose Mourinho has not selected his greatest-ever XI out of the many football stars he has managed. He described the allegation by The Obi One Podcast as “fake news”.
