José Mourinho already has 26 titles, but the first is always the first, and it was won 20 years ago, on May 4, 2003. On a rainy night at Estádio das Antas, in front of 42,318 spectators, the promise left by the coach during his presentation as coach of FC Porto, on the 23rd of January of the previous year: “I am sure that next year we will be national champions“
And the coach from Setúbal could not be more right. The dragons dominated the 2002-03 edition of the I Liga from start to finish, confirming the conquest of the 19th national title – and the 12th of the Pinto da Costa era – with a thrashing of Santa Clara (5-0), a day after runners-up Benfica were defeated by Sporting in a derby played at the Estádio Nacional .
A draw was enough for the blue and whites and Mourinho stayed on the bench to serve his punishment, but that didn’t mean that the Porto players took their foot off the accelerator, starting to build a comfortable victory early on. Maniche set the tone, after just six minutes, deflecting a cross/shot by Hélder Postiga to the second post. At 10″, Derlei made it 2-0, with a pass from Capucho, and it was soon realized that that would be the night of consecration. Three more goals followed in the second half, with the signatures of Derlei (48″), Deco ( 78″) and Helder Postiga (87″). In between, captains Jorge Costa and Vítor Baía were replaced, in order to be honored by the euphoric public that filled the Antas stands.
In the presidential tribune, the then 40-year-old coach began to share the joy with his wife and children, who accompanied him. “When there were 20 minutes left for the end I started to explain to my children that I was going to be champion, but the truth is that they were already prepared, as I had been explaining to them for a few weeks”, he confessed after the game, in a press conference in which revealed that he did not feel “that euphoria that would be natural” for winning the first title of his career.
“As I was lucky enough to win four titles as assistant, maybe I’m not good with the first time feeling, but just with a different feeling. In fact, I’m not with that euphoria that would be natural, also because I still have a lot to win this year. The balloon didn’t deflate completely, because there are still two finals left“
“I don’t like dedications, but I can say that the secret of our success was all of us being competent, because, as I said, a competent coach is not more important than a competent wardrobe. This title is ours, it belongs to the Porto players and to everyone who likes us. But it’s obvious that there are special people we remember, even if some were close and others 300 kilometers away, like my parents. And then there are others, special for me and for my family. my wife, who must be laughing up there”, he said, having deserved praise from President Pinto da Costa .
“I’ve had the happiness of almost all the coaches I’ve looked for to have been champions. It’s a source of great pride and satisfaction for me, as I give them a great responsibility and it would be a disappointment if they weren’t able to win. Certainly Mourinho will remember his first title as head coach forever, just as I am sure he will win many more”, said the Porto president, who was right on target: Mourinho won five more trophies at FC Porto, with emphasis on the Liga of Champions, and 25 in his career, having continued the winning cycle at Chelsea (twice), Inter Milan, Real Madrid, Manchester United and AS Roma.