Devoted to his family and loves taking his children to the cinema, which is also his passion, skating or playing tennis.BENITEZ Aside from his loathing for boardroom interference, one of the main reasons Real Madrid would struggle to lure him away from Liverpool at present is his family’s love of the area. Spoke breathlessly about meeting Sean Connery, and also likes Anthony Hopkins. Doesn’t like the restaurant scene, but a favourite haunt is Soho House though he’s not a member Can be seen drinking coffee at Oriel in Sloane Square. Since his arrival at Liverpool, however, he has come to appreciate the work ethic and commitment of the English game though, based on what he first discovered at the club, he was less than enamoured with the fitness levels and technical and tactical abilities of his new charges – hence his fondness for the Spanish transfer market.Assimilation into English lifeMOURINHO Won’t admit it but has been star-struck by the actors and personalities he has met since moving to London. Mourinho says he admires the passion of the fans and the match atmosphere, especially at Portsmouth, Manchester United and Newcastle United but, privately, believes English football is unsophisticated and technically and tactically deficient.BENITEZ He sees it as rather archaic, based on his first experience of it back in 2000 when he brought Tenerife to Stoke and was astonished by the aerial assault that contributed to his team’s defeat.
“I asked for a sofa and they bought me a lampshade,” he once remarked.Views on English footballMOURINHO Has spoken of the inherent honesty and competitiveness of the Premier League – but also claims officials have shown bias towards Arsenal when it comes to fixtures. The Department of Employment’s decision to refuse a work permit to Chilean winger Mark Gonzalez drew this response: “Who are these people to tell someone who has just won the Champions’ League whether a player is good enough or not for Liverpool?” However most of his disdain is reserved for the former Valencia director of sport Jesus Pitarch, which led to his departure from a club where he was idolised. Asked how they were getting on, he said: “There are no relations so no problems.” In all probability, doesn’t like him because he’s a threat.BENITEZ Very few, but any authority figure who questions his judgement is treated with utter contempt. The Manchester United manager was among the first to congratulate Benitez on May’s Champions’ League success, sending a handwritten letter that praised the half-time introduction of Dietmar Hamann as the turning point in an epic final.Any enemies?MOURINHO Does not disguise his dislike of Ars? Wenger and has tried to isolate him.
One relationship that he does enjoy, however, is with Sir Alex Ferguson. When Mourinho was negotiating his move from Porto to Stamford Bridge he insisted his five-strong backroom staff all came with him.BENITEZ His assistant at Anfield, Paco Ayesteran, has been a trusted confidant for years but outside of his Spanish associates and Liverpool connections the Spaniard has had little time, or indeed inclination, to develop a network of friends within the English game, unlike his predecessor Gerard Houllier. The two have known each other for 20 years, since Brito played for Rio Ave under Mourinho’s father The former defender is now Mourinho’s assistant. Has immersed himself in Anfield folklore, reading several Bill Shankly biographies.Friends in the gameMOURINHO A typical Mourinho friend is Baltemar Brito. His heartbeat hardly altered.BENITEZ David Moores was struck by the ambition, honesty and intelligence of Benitez when they first met at the Liverpool chairman’s Spanish retreat last summer and they are qualities his manager has radiated ever since. Friendly, though often guarded and intensely private, the Liverpool manager possesses a sharp wit that the language barrier does not conceal.