Only a special role would do for ‘The Special One’ at Sunday’s MotoGP showdown.
Jose Mourinho was in attendance for the Portuguese Grand Prix at the Algarve International Circuit and hand an instrumental hand in proceedings. The out-of-work manager was sacked by Roma in January and has recently been sighted at certain major sporting events as talk builds regarding a potential return to football.
Mourinho, 61, surprised sports fans when he seen in Saudi Arabia for Anthony Joshua’s knockout win over Francis Ngannou just hours after appearing at the Egyptian Cup final. And then his tour continued with a cameo appearance at F1’s Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.
But The Special One played a more active role in Portimao, which is only two hours from his birthplace in Setubal. Mourinho took the honour of waving the chequered flag for Sunday’s MotoGP action, then handed the winner’s trophy to Jorge Martin after he crossed the line first.
Martin, 26, earned his first win of the season after finishing third in Qatar a fortnight ago. And he marked the occasion by paying homage to Cristiano Ronaldo by mimicking his ‘Siu’ celebration while still on his bike.
🏁 #MotoGP RACE 🏁@88jorgemartin wins in Portimao!!!🏆 #PortugueseGP 🇵🇹 pic.twitter.com/ZeBKKaeMh1
— MotoGP™🏁 (@MotoGP) March 24, 2024
“Done more than Poch this season,” joked one fan unimpressed with Mauricio Pochettino’s work at Chelsea, where Mourinho has been linked with a third stint of late. The former Manchester United and Real Madrid boss has also been associated with the soon-to-be-vacant role at Bayern Munich.
“Bros doing side quests now,” commented another viewer. And a third fan was overjoyed to see Mourinho in the wild, adding: “Conquers everywhere he goes! The GOAT manager!”
Daniele De Rossi has picked up from where Mourinho left off and has made a success out of this Roma team, suggesting The Special One perhaps has lost his touch. However, the same can’t be said for the tactician’s ability to draw a crowd like no other.