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Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard reveals the reason he rejected the chance to join Jose Mourinho on three occasions
Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard reveals the reason he rejected the chance to join Jose Mourinho on three occasions
Liverpool great Steven Gerrard has disclosed that he would have signed for Jose Mourinho on three occasions, but his loyalty to the club stopped him.
The former England International spent a large part of his senior playing career at Anfield before his two-season spell in the MLS with LA Galaxy.
While at Anfield, Gerrard won the Champions League title, UEFA Cup, two FA Cups, and three League Cups.
Gerrard who is regarded as one of the best Premier League midfielders of all time netted 186 goals and150 assists in 710 appearances for the Reds.
Mourinho once described Gerrard as one of his “favourite enemies” and wanted to sign the ex-Liverpool captain during his time at Chelsea, Inter Milan, and Real Madrid.
Speaking after Chelsea vs Liverpool at Stamford Bridge in 2015, Gerrard admitted that he had “huge respect” for the Special One.
The former England midfielder added that Mourinho was the “best manager in the world” and he could have signed for him “three times.”
Gerrard told Sky Sports: “I’ve got huge respect for him. He’s the best manager in the world for me.
“I’d have signed for him three times if I weren’t a Liverpool fan and Liverpool were in my heart.
“He’s the reason why my head was turned on a couple of occasions, but he understood why I couldn’t do it, and it’s because I love Liverpool Football Club.”
When asked if he ever consider what might have happened if he had joined Mourinho to Inter, Chelsea, or Madrid.
The former Red skipper insisted that winning trophies with Liverpool would mean a lot more than winning them at the aforementioned trio of clubs.
“I did at the time. But for me, I always said to myself when I sat down with my dad and my brother if I win a couple of trophies at Liverpool, it will mean an awful lot more to me if I win 10 at Chelsea or Inter Milan or Real Madrid.
“It always means more when you win for your people.”
Jose Mourinho tried to convince Steven Gerrard to join him on three occasions, but failed ( Photo credit: Getty Images)
Speaking ahead of the 1-1 draw, former Chelsea boss Mourinho paid tribute to Gerrard by claiming his “dear enemy” made him a “better manager.”
The Portuguese tactician told reporters: “Gerrard is for sure one of my favourite enemies and for sure my dear enemy, the one who made me a better manager.
“To stop him or try to stop him has been very, very difficult. I lost against him, I won, I drew, I was happy, I was sad. I am very sad it’s the last time I play against him.
“I need people like him to make me a better coach. I am sad he is leaving the same as our Frank Lampard, but Frank is a Chelsea legend and it’s a different situation because Steven was always on the other side.
“I tried to bring him to Chelsea, I tried to bring him to Inter, I tried to bring him to Real Madrid but he was always with the enemy. I want to honour him and I hope Stamford Bridge has the same feeling.”
In other news, Trent Alexander-Arnold compared to David Beckham after ridiculous passes in Liverpool’s win over Crystal Palace
