By Peter Ochieng
Former Chelsea captain John Terry was left with ‘tearful eyes’ after watching a message from his former manager, Jose Mourinho.
Upon Terry being inducted into the Premier League Hall of Fame, 2024, Mourinho recorded a video addressed to the Chelsea legend.
The widely travelled tactician who has also been to Inter Milan, Roma, Manchester United and Real Madrid among others, said ‘Terry in the Premier League Hall of Fame had to be.’
“Premier League Hall of Fame, John Terry, [it] has to be. And now it is. I believe that for your kids, it is something really fantastic. For me, as one of the guys that had the privilege to work with you for about six seasons, I’m very happy, I’m very proud. You deserve [it], your career was amazing. I’m so, so happy for you and so proud of this achievement. Kisses, mate,” said Mourinho who is currently without a job after being sacked by AS Roma early this year.
In response, with tearful eyes, Terry popularly known as JT said his former manager’s message was emotional, and that Mourinho still frightens him.
“Wow. That’s quite emotional. I think I owe him a huge amount for my career and the kind of direction it went in. He still frightens me to death, when I see a video of him or he face times me out of the blue and stuff like that. But I’ve just got so much respect for him and what he’s done for me and Chelsea. Chelsea means everything to me. So, yeah, very emotional.”
Under the tutelage of the Portuguese, Terry won back to back Premier League titles with the Blues during the 2004/2005 and 2005/2006 Premier League seasons.
He spent a total of 19 years as a Chelsea defender, winning 5 Premier League titles.
Mourinho was the man in the dug out when Terry lifted another title as Chelsea captain in 2015, with Carlo Ancelotti and Antonio Conte, both Italians, leading the Blues to the other two championships.
Terry made 717 appearances for the Blues. Currently, the former fierce defender who also captained Aston Villa and the England national football team, is coaching one of Chelsea’s youth sides.
He has previously served as Aston Villa and Leicester City’s assistant coach.