McDonald Mariga opens up on working with Mourinho
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Reading Time: 2min | Thu. 02.10.25. | 08:47
The FKF vice president is one of the players who played under the Portuguese tactician, notably winning the 2010 UEFA Champions League with Italian side Inter Milan
Former Harambee Stars midfielder McDonald Mariga has heaped praise on legendary coach Jose Mourinho, explaining his remarkable character.
The FKF vice president is one of the players who played under the Portuguese tactician, notably winning the 2010 UEFA Champions League with Italian side Inter Milan.
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The two-time UEFA Champions League winner recently signed up for Benfica in his homeland after parting ways with the Turkish outfit Fenerbahçe.
Speaking as a guest analyst on SuperSport during Benfica’s UEFA Champions League match against Chelsea on Tuesday, 30 September, Mariga opened the lid on working with Mourinho.
“He was like a father. He loved to spend a lot of time with the players. He was patient with players. You cannot get a coach like that nowadays. He loves to be around players. He loves people to improve. He wants to make his team great,” said Mariga.
Mariga went ahead to add his voice to the winning culture that is well known to the 62-year-old.
“His mentality is always winning, and if you lose, it is bad luck. He cannot allow you to play poorly and lose; that is unacceptable, but if you lose because the opponents were better, that is okay,” he added.
The 38-year-old also revealed the high demands that Mourinho demanded from his players during their time together at the Italian giants.
“But if you are not giving your all, he will tell you off. If you wear that shirt, the Inter shirt in 2010, you had to give 150%,” he stated.
During the Tuesday evening clash, Mourinho’s Benfica suffered a 1-0 defeat to English side Chelsea in a match played at Stamford Bridge.
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The all-determinant goal came courtesy of an 18th-minute own goal by Colombian international Richard Ríos.
This was Benfica’s second consecutive loss in the UEFA group phase, having suffered a 3-2 defeat to Qarabag in their opening match.
