Mourinho Puts Club Before Personal Glory

Jose Mourinho could add a fourth European triumph to his extraordinary CV next week but he insists a return to continental success for Manchester United is more important than personal honours.

Mourinho will lead his team into Wednesday's Europa League final in Stockholm, having previously conquered the competition in its previous guise - the UEFA Cup - when Porto beat Celtic 3-2 in 2003. He went on to win the Champions League with the Portuguese side in the following season and with Inter Milan in 2010.

Jose’s Porto knocked out United en route to winning the Champions League in 2004, when Costinha’s decisive late goal at Old Trafford prompted the manager to embark on a famous dash down the touchline. When asked if we might see a repeat of that celebration if the Reds were to beat Ajax next week, Mourinho replied: "Why not? It depends on the moment; I just say that it all depends on the occasion. 

"I won the biggest one, the Champions League final, 3-0 [with Porto in 2004], and I didn't run and jump because it's about the emotion of the game. 

"So it depends, but it will be an amazing thing for the club to go back to European trophies, to go back to [playing in] the European Super Cup. It would be amazing for the club, and the club is more important than all of us."

Although Mourinho has already won the silverware he wants to end the season with, he admits the distinctive trophy has proved elusive in another way.

"I don't have a replica of it," he revealed to UEFA.com, recalling his maiden European triumph in 2003.

"My guys couldn't do a replica of such a difficult cup. I have a replica of the Champions League, I have a replica of the Premier League and La Liga trophies – all those things I was lucky enough to win. But the UEFA Cup is too beautiful, too heavy and too difficult to do it [create a replica of].

"Still, I have my medal and, more importantly than that, I have my memories."