'Jose Mourinho is evil on the outside, but pleasant on the inside' - Diego Milito reveals what it's like to work with The Special One

Former Argentine forward Diego Milito has insisted Jose Mourinho is a pleasant man inside the locker room regardless of the controversies surrounding him and has revealed what it was like to work with The Special One. The duo spent just one season together at Inter, the historic 2009-10 season which saw them win the treble. At the end of that campaign, Mourinho left for Real Madrid, while Milito continued playing for the Serie A giants until 2014.

Because of his confrontational nature, Mourinho has frequently been depicted negatively in interviews. Notwithstanding his accomplishments, Mourinho's interviews have sometimes overshadowed them, with detractors claiming that his erratic media persona compromises team cohesion and alienates supporters. In fact, he made some controversial comments earlier this month after Fenerbahce's last-gasp 3-2 win over Trabzonspor, leading the Turkish Football Federation (TFF) to sanction a one-match ban and an additional fine of over £20,000.

Milito, however, has only good memories of his time with the former Chelsea, Porto, Real Madrid, Roma, and Manchester United manager, stating that the 61-year-old sacrifices his public image to protect the team.

"He has one face on the outside but inside [the locker room] he is completely different," Milito told Tyc Sports (h/t Calciomercato).

"On the outside he appears as the 'evil' to protect the team and reduce the pressure, but inside he is a very pleasant person. Personally, he was truly extraordinary with me. When I signed with Inter he called me to welcome me and I told him that I wanted the number 22 shirt: I knew that it was occupied by Paolo Orlandoni at the time. I told him that in truth the number wouldn't be a problem, but Jose told me to stay calm. Then, when I arrived at Inter, Paolo told me that Mou told him in a training session: 'Paolo, I have to ask you a favor and you have to say yes. You have to free up the 22'. And in the end I took the 22."

Fenerbahce currently sit in second place in the Super Lig, five points adrift of Galatasaray. They are scheduled to play a friendly against Zenit St. Petersburg on Friday, November 15. Following the international break, Mourinho will hope to lead his team to a victory over 15th-placed Kayserispor.