McDonald Mariga Explains His Experience Working With Jose Mourinho For 15 Years

The former Kenyan international was signed by Mourinho in January 2010 when the Portuguese tactician brought him to Inter Milan. Under Mourinho’s leadership, the Italian giants went on to achieve a historic treble, lifting the Serie A title, the UEFA Champions League, and the Coppa Italia in the same season.

Reflecting on his time at Inter, Mariga explained that Mourinho was not just a coach but also a mentor who pushed players to higher levels while holding them accountable for their performances.

“He was like a father figure. He always wanted to be close to the players,” Mariga revealed during his punditry role on SuperSport TV while analyzing Champions League action, including the recent clash between Mourinho’s Benfica and his former club Chelsea.

“He was patient and gave players the space to grow. Coaches like him are rare today. He genuinely wanted everyone to improve and had the drive to build a great team.”

Mariga’s Honest Take on Mourinho’s Unique Approach

According to Mariga, Mourinho’s philosophy revolved around a winning mentality. Losing was only acceptable if opponents were better on the day, but poor performances were never tolerated.

“His mindset is always about winning. If you lose, it must be due to bad luck or because the other team was stronger. But to play poorly and lose, that was never acceptable,” Mariga emphasized.

Mourinho’s management style has often sparked debate in the football world, with some praising his tough love while others criticizing it as harsh. For Mariga, however, the experience was invaluable.

“If you didn’t give everything, he would not hesitate to call you out. Wearing the Inter jersey in 2010 meant you had to give at least 150%,” Mariga said.

Currently, Mourinho is back in charge at Portuguese giants Benfica, returning to the club he briefly managed more than two decades ago. His comeback followed his departure from Turkish side Fenerbahce earlier this year.

However, his latest Champions League campaign began with disappointment, as Benfica suffered a 1-0 defeat against Chelsea in their opening group fixture.