Faux-humble José Mourinho plays his part on oddly tender Chelsea return | Barney Ronay

<p>This was not a hangover from another world. It was bang up to date, a piece of pure theatre, entertainment product</p><p>The whump of pitchside flames, the tinny theatre of the Uefa anthem, a craning of necks, a rising crackle of energy. And finally there he was out on the Stamford Bridge touchline, like some fond, long-lost figure emerging from the steam, suitcase in hand, while Jenny Agutter says Daddy, my daddy and rushes in for a hug.</p><p>Except of course, this daddy is just as likely to jab her in the eye, before knee-sliding provocatively down the platform and making a series of borderline defamatory remarks in a press conference.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2025/sep/30/faux-humble-jose-mourinho-plays-his-part-on-oddly-tender-chelsea-return">Continue reading...</a>