Back in 2018, Jose Mourinho told Stadium Astro about Michael Essien: ''He's not my player, he's my son. I'm his white daddy. [There are] more than stories. Feelings.
''He was probably the one to take me to the real home. The place he was born, the streets he playing football as a kid. To meet his mum, friends, everyone that grew up with him in Ghana.
"He made me fall in love with Ghana. Because then I understood better the mentality, why he was ready for everything. To die for the manager.
''That mentality. Always suffering, but with a smile. I love all of my players, but I think Michael would be on the podium, for sure."
Mourinho may not be the most likeable man in football, but this bond between him and Essien is one of the purest things we have seen in the beautiful game.
It goes to show you that bonds between a coach and a player can last a lifetime and this emotional story just warms our heart.
