Jose Mourinho’s absence from management for more than three months following his sacking by Roma is “sad”, Sergio Reguilon has said.
Two-time Uefa Champions League winner Mourinho signed Reguilon for a fee of up to £32 million in September 2020, beating Manchester United to the Real Madrid defender’s signature in a deal made alongside Gareth Bale’s return to the Spurs on loan.
The former Spain international was a regular under the Portuguese but has not featured since Mourinho was sacked near the end of the following season, spending temporary spells at Atletico Madrid, United and current loan club Brentford.
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“He is a top guy,” Reguilon told Brentford’s official site. “He goes through every small detail with his players, he takes care of you.
“He is so friendly, you can talk to him about everything. Even if you’re at home, he’ll text you, send you a meme. It’s so funny.
“What can I say? He’s one of the best managers of all time. I’m sad that he’s not currently at a club. I always love to see Jose on a touchline somewhere.”
“I’m alone here in England. On Christmas day, we arrive for training and there’s a box in my place. It was a roast suckling pig, already cooked. Mourinho told me ‘I know you’re alone at Christmas and that way you don’t have to cook dinner and you’ll eat well.'”
– Sergio Reguilon pic.twitter.com/cKniGfCUET
— IM🇵🇹 (@Iconic_Mourinho) December 25, 2021
Mourinho had taken less than a month out after his Spurs exit when he joined Italian giants Roma, guiding them to the inaugural Europa Conference League title in his first season in charge.
The three-time Premier League winner with Chelsea lost his first European final when Roma were beaten by Sevilla in the 2022/23 Europa League final and left after a patchy run of form in January.
Lionel Messi ‘so strong’
Reguilon’s respect for Mourinho is as strong as his admiration for Lionel Messi, the Barcelona all-time top scorer who he encountered during four El Clasico matches between Madrid and Barca.
“You don’t know how to defend against him,” the 27-year-old said of the Argentina captain. “It’s impossible.
“I don’t know how many players or how many teams that he has played against – tell me one that has stopped him. You can’t; it’s not possible.
“He was so strong when I played against him. Very, very strong legs – he’s so powerful. The quality, the control, the vision, the passes, the last passes – just everything. He’s one of the best to ever play.”
