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Jose Mourinho is one of the most successful managers in football history.
The Portuguese had a fairly lackluster career as a player, featuring for some Portuguese clubs without experiencing much success. His career as a manager, however, has seen immense success.
Starting out initially with Benfica in 2000, he first made headlines after taking over at Porto in 2002. His stint with Porto was one of the most successful periods in the club's history. Mourinho even managed to win the UEFA Champions League in 2004 with the club, despite having a far weaker side than his competition.
Mourinho then moved to Chelsea shortly after the club's takeover by Roman Abramovich and made history with the London outfit. He broke several records during his time there and spearheaded one of the club's most successful periods in their history.
His career then took him to Internazionale in Italy, where he won the UEFA Champions League once again. He followed this up with a successful stint at Real Madrid, before returning to Chelsea once again. He has also managed Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur and is currently with AS Roma.
It's fair to say that Mourinho has had the privilege of coaching some of the world's best-ever footballers. Let's take a look at the five underrated footballers coached by Jose Mourinho.
#5. Goran Pandev
Goran Pandev is arguably the greatest player in Macedonian football history.
Pandev has had quite an extensive career, representing over seven clubs in his 20-year career. His period with Inter Milan under Jose Mourinho is possibly his most successful-ever.
In just three years with the club, Pandev won a Serie A title, two Coppa Italias and the UEFA Champions League title. The 2009-10 treble-winning Inter Milan team was arguably the strongest side in the club's long history.
Pandev made 69 appearances for the club, scoring eight goals and providing 15 assists. He has also won the award for Macedonian footballer of the year on five occasions.
#4. Branislav Ivanovic
Branislav Ivanovic is one of the best defenders in Chelsea's history.
The Serbian spent nine long years with the club, achieving great success and establishing himself as one of the best defenders of his era. He signed for a reported £9 million from Lokomotiv Moscow in 2008 and paid back every penny with his onfield achievements.
Ivanovic was primarily a right-back who was also capable of playing as a centre-back if required. He provided incredible stability to the Chelsea backline and was always one of the first names on the sheet under Mourinho.
Ivanovic spent the majority of his career with Chelsea. He made 377 appearances for the club, amassing 34 goals and 34 assists during this time. He also won three Premier League titles, three FA Cups, one UEFA Champions League and a UEFA Europa League.
Ivanovic certainly set the standard for a Chelsea right-back in today's era.
#3. Nemanja Matic
Nemanja Matic has had the pleasure of being coached by Jose Mourinho at two clubs: Chelsea and Manchester United.
The Serbian midfielder is widely regarded as one of the best defensive midfielders of his generation. Matic was an integral part of the Chelsea side that achieved great success and has also been excellent at Manchester United.
Costing a mere £1.5 million the first time in 2009, Matic failed to make his mark at Chelsea. He then moved to Benfica in 2011, where he established himself as a world-class player, before rejoining Chelsea in 2014 for a reported £21 million.
Matic grew into one of the most important players in Mourinho's setup, even winning a Premier League title under him. Extremely strong and intelligent, Matic was arguably the best defensive midfielder in the league during his peak.
He moved to Manchester United in 2017 and continues to be an important member of their side, mentoring youngsters with his vast experience.
#2. Angel di Maria
Angel di Maria was one of the most important players during Mourinho's time at Real Madrid.
Together for three years between 2010 and 2013, Di Maria and Mourinho enjoyed great success. They even managed to break the dominance of Pep Guardiola's Barcelona in Spain winning the La Liga in 2012.
Di Maria is primarily a winger but can play in attacking midfield as well. Extremely effective in attack, Di Maria's direct style and technical abilities make him one of the best attackers of his generation.
With Real Madrid, Di Maria won one La Liga title, two Copa del Reys and one coveted UEFA Champions League title. He formed a deadly attacking partnership with Mesut Ozil and Cristiano Ronaldo which enabled the club great success. He made 85 assists and scored 36 goals in 190 appearances in all competitions for Los Blancos.
Di Maria is also one of the most decorated players in Argentina's history. He won the Copa America last year and was also a key member of the team that finished runner-up in the 2014 FIFA World Cup.
#1. Ricardo Carvalho
Ricardo Carvalho has had the privilege of being coached by Mourinho at three different clubs: Porto, Chelsea and Real Madrid.
Carvalho was an excellent defender who played primarily at centre-back. He seemingly followed Mourinho throughout the initial phase of his career, moving with him to Chelsea from Porto and then to Real Madrid as well.
Carvalho was incredibly intelligent in defense. His reading of the game and his technical abilities enabled his clubs great success. Carvalho was certainly one of Mourinho's most-trusted players.
Carvalho enjoyed an illustrious career with his clubs. He won several league titles with Porto, three Premier League titles with Chelsea and one La Liga in Spain. He also won the UEFA Champions League with Porto and the UEFA Euro 2016 with Portugal.
His partnership with John Terry at Chelsea is widely regarded as one of the best defensive partnerships in Premier League history.
