“I’ll single him out as my best” – Mikel snubs Mourinho, names his number one Chelsea manager

Extensively thought to be one of many most interesting soccer managers within the recreation, the present AS Roma supervisor labored along with the previous Nigerian worldwide at Stamford Bridge for a number of years

2013 Africa Cup of Nations winner John Obi Mikel has refused to call AS Roma boss Jose Mourinho among the many managers that bought the very best out of him throughout his decade-long keep at Chelsea.

As a substitute, the previous Tremendous Eagles hero has reserved form phrases for Actual Madrid boss Carlos Ancelotti and Dutchman Guus Hiddink.

Mikel is, nevertheless, clear that Italian tactician Roberto Di Matteo is the primary supervisor he performed underneath whereas at Stamford Bridge.

One of the crucial profitable Chelsea managers of all time, Mourinho coached Mikel twice at Chelsea.

The Portuguese supervisor obtained the Nigerian midfielder when he arrived from Norway’s Lyn Oslo in 2006, however the ex-Porto boss left the Blues the next yr.

Mourinho returned to Chelsea in 2013 and labored with Mikel for one more two years, successful the Premier League in 2015.

Mikel ultimately departed Stamford Bridge in 2017 after 372 appearances for the Blues and quite a few home and continental honours.

However his most memorable achievement was lifting Chelsea’s first-ever UEFA Champions League trophy in 2012 underneath the steering of Roberto Di Matteo.

The Italian gaffer solely spent one yr managing the Blues, however Mikel insists it was sufficient to get the very best out of him.

“At Chelsea, Di Matteo actually understood me,” Mikel instructed ThisDay.

“And that was why in 2012, I had my greatest moments with the membership as a result of he gave me the liberty to play to specific who I’m on the pitch.

“And the identical factor with Carlos Ancelotti as a result of I performed a variety of video games underneath him. He gave me the license to do no matter I can do to make the group sturdy within the center similar to Guus Hiddink, however in all of them, I’ll single out Di Mateo as my greatest.”

Whereas at Chelsea, Mikel was named the Chelsea Younger Participant of the 12 months twice (in 2007 and 2008) and was a runner-up for the 2013 African Footballer of the 12 months award.