Mourinho: 'I am nothing without Essien, Muntari'

http://www.goal.com/en/teams/italy/2/internazionale-news

Muntari is one of Mourinho's key stars Inter Milan controversial boss Jose Mourinho says he would not be exalted as a great coach without the help of Ghanaian players Michael Essien, Sulley Muntari and other players. ( Have you heard a rumour? Email us at ) mailto: http://www.goal.com/en/people/portugal/2852/jos%C3%A9-mario-mourinho

Mourinho paid a visit to the Kwara Football Academy in Lagos, Nigeria and discussed the prospects of African football for the upcoming World Cup http://www.goal.com/en/news/1863/world-cup-2010confederations-cup/2009/07/05/1364639/jose-mourinho-africa-will-not-win-the-world-cup .

The Portuguese tactician will return to Milan on Wednesday to begin the club's pre-season training, but continued to praise African football, as well as attribute his own success to the players he has coached.

Specifically, Mourinho had great success coaching Didier Drogba at Chelsea and has also worked with other players from the continent such as Solomon Kalou, Michael Essien, and Sulley Muntari during his career.

"Many of the [African players are] talented and every coach would like to work with these types of players because it is easier to obtain good results," he was quoted as saying by the Corriere dello Sport http://www.goal.com/en/news/10/italy/2009/07/06/1367243/inter-boss-jose-mourinho-coaches-are-nothing-without-their .

"When people speak of my triumphs and the number of trophies I have won, It makes me nervous, because without his players a coach is nothing. That is why we cannot speak only of victories of Mourinho."

The former Chelsea and Porto boss won Serie A in his first attempt in 2008-09 and will now try to bring Champions League glory to the Nerazzurri.