Having developed a reputation for having a heavy-handed approach to man-management, Jose Mourinho is known for dishing out tough love. One of his former players has now revealed how the Portuguese tactician once told him he is "mentally retarded".
Having worked with Mourinho at FC Porto, former Portugal youth international Candido Costa has opened up about a discussion he had with the current Tottenham Hotspur boss when he asked to leave the Primeira Liga club in search of regular game time.
"I was stupid. I was very loved by the fans, I had that privilege. At that time, I had a great role in the U21 team but I did not have minutes at FC Porto," Costa explained, per AS.
"I sat in front of Mourinho and said that I wanted to be loaned (out), and he said, 'You can only be mentally retarded'."
Costa, who went on to join Derby County on loan in the 2003/04 campaign – the season Porto won the UEFA Champions League – admitted he made the wrong call in leaving the club when he did.
"I wanted to play, I had two good seasons at Porto and I thought I was at a decisive moment. But I ended up leaving and when I returned, Mourinho had gone to Chelsea," he added.
"When I saw my colleagues win the Championship, I thought: 'I really am a hammer for the fire'."
Costa went on to play for the likes of Braga and Belenenses, among others, but never reached the heights that were expected of him during his days in Porto's youth teams.
