When it comes to the finals of European competitions, José Mourinho is on a whole different level. While no one genuinely doubts his famous moniker, one glimpse at his continental record is enough to prove beyond a shred of doubt that this man truly is the undisputed “Special One”.
Three European competitions, four clubs, five finals and five triumphs. This is the Portuguese’s almighty record in European finals. Next Wednesday, he’ll be eager to make it six out of six when his Roma collide with Sevilla in the Europa League final in what will be a compelling battle between a manager specialized in winning finals and a club that has cemented itself as the ultimate specialist in Europe’s second-tier tournament.
But before we reach the grand finale in Budapest, let’s take a look back at the five triumphant Mourinho appearances in European finals and rank them based on importance, prestige and what it meant to his career and employers alike.
5. Ajax vs. Man United 0-2 – 2016/17 Europa League Final, Stockholm
While his tenure at Old Trafford between 2016 and 2018 wasn’t his most successful, Mourinho still managed to collect three trophies, all coming in his maiden campaign, with the most significant being the Europa League.
In the Stockholm final, the Red Devils clashed heads with Peter Bosz’s Ajax who were already laying the foundation for a brilliant team that would take the Champions League by storm a couple of years later.
Yet, the superior experience of Mourinho and his men tipped the scale to Man United’s advantage, securing a 2-0 victory thanks to goals from Paul Pogba and Henrikh Mkhitaryan.
But the fact that this feat occurred at a club that traditionally competes for the Champions League rather than its “uglier sister” somewhat undermined the achievement, which is why it landed at the bottom of the list.
4. Celtic Glasgow vs. Porto 2-3 (AET) – 2002/03 UEFA Cup Final, Seville
Alongside Rafael Benitez, Mourinho is the only manager to win the Europa League before and after the name change. Prior to 2009, this competition was simply known as the UEFA Cup, and the 2002/03 edition was the Portuguese’s first-ever continental triumph.
Following a back-and-forth battle, Mourinho’s Porto eventually prevailed thanks to a 115th-minute winner over Celtic who were led by the vastly experienced Martin O’Neil.
In hindsight, this achievement put the young tactician on the map and arguably deserved a higher ranking on the list. Yet, the next entries had slightly better cases.
3. Roma vs. Feyenoord 1-0 – 2021/22 Conference League Final, Tirana
When UEFA launched a new competition, the Special One wasted no time to add this accolade to his unparalleled record, winning the inaugural edition of the Conference League with a 1-0 win over Feyenoord in the final to become the one and only manager to lift all three modern-day European competitions.
It also ensued on his first campaign with Roma which swiftly became his adopted home thanks to the overwhelming support he received from the passionate Giallorossi fanbase.
But the importance of this achievement goes beyond the record books. This triumph served as a major statement from an iconic coach whose career was supposedly waning following some underwhelming spells in England, especially his forgettable tenure at Tottenham Hotspur.
At the final whistle, Mourinho’s river of tears said it all: the 60-year-old hasn’t lost his winning touch just yet, and he’s still out there hunting for more silverware.
2. Bayern Munich vs. Inter 0-2 – 2009/10 Champions League Final, Madrid
There was something about that Inter treble-winning side, something that went beyond the brilliant individuals who composed it. In the likes of Wesley Sneijder, Walter Samuel, Lucio and Diego Milito, the Nerazzurri had some of the most underrated players in their generation, and were all at their peak during that glorious campaign.
Yet, it was that unwavering passion and determination that gave Inter that unique aura at the time. The Beneamata could dominate Pep Guardiola’s Barcelona in the first leg at the Giuseppe Meazza while playing fluid football, and then park the bus and fight as if their lives depended on it in the second leg at the Camp Nou.
With such a stunning display of Grinta paired with tactical shrewdness and individual brilliance, Louis van Gaal and Bayern Munich stood no chance against Mourinho and his brave army of soldiers in the 2010 Champions League Final.
If there were any doubts left over the Portuguese’s spot amongst the greatest football managers of all time, he surely dispelled them in his show of Grandeur in the Madrid finale.
1. Monaco vs. Porto 0-3 – 2003/04 Champions League Final, Gelsenkirchen
While all of his final triumphs were undoubtedly significant, it was in the event of Porto’s triumph over Monaco that José Mourinho became the Special One. To this day, the Dragons remain the last club outside of the Big Four European leagues to lift the continent’s elite club competition.
Despite his UEFA Cup triumph in the previous campaign, Mourinho was still a relatively unsung coach, with his fame paling in comparison to his counterpart Didier Deschamps, the man who lifted the 1998 World Cup as France’s captain.
But when the dust settled, it was the Portuguese who emerged as the winner in this unusual finale that pitted two underdogs against one another, but only one proved to be up to the task, with Porto dominating the action from start to finish and winning by three unanswered goals.
At the final whistle, the extremely confident Mourinho hardly cracked a smile or displayed any sort of emotion, perhaps too young and smug to fully comprehend the enormity of his own achievement.
But from that moment on, the football world understood that this man is unlike any other, and almost 20 years later, he’s still leaving fans and observers in awe with his fascinating character, never-die attitude, controversial statements and winning mentality.
In conclusion, there will never be another Mourinho. So let’s enjoy his coaching career while it lasts.
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