Mour of a hero than you’d think

wJOSE MOURINHO suffered a car crash in midweek against Sevilla – but that does not even compare with his worst real-life experience. No, the Special One once saved a team-mate’s life by dragging him from a burning car – and nearly totalled himself in a spectacular smash. Long before the Manchester United boss became one of the most famous and successful managers in world football, he showed incredible courage to stage a dramatic rescue. As his own unremarkable playing days were coming to an end, Mourinho found himself playing for minnows Comercio e Industria, of the Setubal District League in 1985. The club was close to his family home and it was after training when an incident occurred that has given Mourinho a mistrust of motors that exists to this day. He had finished a training session and was enjoying lunch in the Praca de Touros, the town’s main square. Mourinho’s team-mate, De, was heading home. He went to his 10-yearold Fiat, turned on the ignition and the engine exploded. The Angolan found it impossible to open the driver’s door because of the heat. The car was parked against a wall on the passenger side, leaving the player trapped. De screamed for help. Without a thought for his own safety, Mourinho sprang into life. He rushed over and smashed the window, yanking De from his seat and out of reach of a blaze that was threatening to claim his life.

Pride