Coleman: Jose is a 'gentleman'
Chris Coleman today refused to add his voice to Chelsea’s growing army of critics by declaring boss Jose Mourinho knows how to lose with humility.
Chelsea maybe within touching distance of second successive Barclays Premiership title but their popularity has plummeted following a number of high-profile incidents.
Among all their collisions with the footballing authorities, the most frequent accusation levelled against them is their lack of grace in defeat with Mourinho the main culprit.
The Portuguese’s claims that Barcelona were not the stronger team despite dominating their recent Champions League encounters exposed him to ridicule and is not the first time he has refused to acknowledge when his side has been outplayed.
But Coleman, who enjoys a fine relationship with Mourinho, was impressed with the way he accepted last Sunday’s 1-0 loss at Craven Cottage – Chelsea’s first reverse by Fulham in 27 years.
“There are people who are on the bandwagon now talking about how Chelsea don’t know how to lose and calling them bad losers,” the Fulham boss told the League Managers Association.
“I don’t see a lot wrong in that because nobody likes losing anyway and if they were walking off the pitch laughing and joking we’d have something else to say.
“I do have to speak as I find and through personal experience Jose never been anything but a gentleman with me. He’s been helpful and very complimentary.
“Even after we beat them he was the first person to walk up to me and my staff, shake hands, wish us all the best and say well done. I thought he showed a lot of humility.
“Now because he is who he is and he’s at the top of the tree, he’s a very confident man.
“It’s one thing being confident but you’ve got to back that up and if you look at his record he more than backs up what he says, so I don’t think there can be any complaints.”
Mourinho has spoken of his admiration for Coleman in the past and their rapport helped broker Wayne Bridge’s loan move from Stamford Bridge to Fulham in January.
“Jose’s first job was at a small club in Portugal where they had no money. He had to build and produce a winning team and I think he respects what we are trying to do at Fulham through lack of funds,” said Coleman.
“He’s helped us out with Wayne Bridge when Wayne could have joined another six different clubs if he’d wanted to. I think my relationship with Jose helped that deal go through.”
