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Outspoken Behaviour Cost Jose Mourinho Barcelona Job - Report

Outspoken behaviour may make the Inter boss a character, but it cost him a chance of the top job at Camp Nou...

Sep 15, 2009 12:58:00 PM

Inter coach Jose Mourinho knows how to smile for the camera

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Inter coach Jose Mourinho knows how to smile for the camera

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José Mario Mourinho

Jose Mourinho could have been preparing Barcelona to face Inter this week in the Champions League, but his desire to be controversial cost him the chance, according to a report.

The Portuguese coach allegedly held a secret meeting with Blaugrana officials during the 2007-08 campaign, when he was not in work, and came close to being appointed only for one characteristic to let him down.

Barca had decided to release Frank Rijkaard at the end of that same season following defeat in Camp Nou by Real Madrid, and the search for a new trainer took them to Mourinho.

Sport state that technical secretary Txiki Begiristain and then sporting vice president Marc Ingla flew separately to Portugal to meet the coach and his agent, Jorge Mendes.

To avoid the news of the meeting leaking out, the quartet met in the safe rooms of a bank in Lisbon, where Mourinho was handed a nine-point document that outlined what his duties would be.

According to the report, the current Inter boss agreed to all of them bar one. He was not keen on point six, which demanded he behave with the media and respect all opponents.

Mourinho thrives on his outspoken behaviour and believes that using the media to gain advantages ahead of matches is crucial, but Barca did not agree and ruled him out of their thoughts.

Lucas Brown, Goal.com

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