2025-12-14 12:31:17
Nemanja Matic thinks Jose Mourinho made football “more interesting”.
The 37-year-old Serbian international worked under the outspoken manager at Chelsea, Manchester United and Roma and has always enjoyed a “good connection” with him, even though the coach could be hard to please.
Matic told FourFourTwo magazine: “He was unhappy with me quite a few times, but we had a good connection because Jose is old school.
“I speak to him like I speak to my father.
“He likes players who aren’t babies and who can accept criticism.
“It wasn’t always easy with him – I’d do my best but he’d say, ‘You played s***.’
“I knew deep inside he liked me though.
“He also changed the Premier League – a bit of provocation – and made football more interesting.”
Matic followed Mourinho to Manchester United and he felt “very honoured and privileged” to play for the club.
He said: “Jose told me he wanted me to join Manchester United and that I needed a change, something new.
“Chelsea also thought they needed a new player in my position.
“They didn’t tell me that, but I had that feeling.
“United is a big club, a fantastic club, and to be honest, I felt like I needed to have United on my CV.
“I felt very honoured and privileged to represent them and, even today, I still think I made the right decision. For me, United and Real Madrid are historically the two biggest clubs.”
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