Jose Mourinho sent off in derby clash

Few figures in football create as much division as Jose Mourinho.

The former Manchester United manager has earned a reputation across Europe for his success as well as the intensity he brings to the sidelines.

That intensity was evident again over the weekend during a heated match in Portugal that ended in chaos after a dramatic late equaliser.

Mourinho’s Benfica team battled back from two goals down to secure a 2-2 draw against their bitter rivals FC Porto.

Substitute Leandro Barreiro scored in the 88th minute to salvage a point.

The goal led to wild celebrations on the Benfica bench but also sparked a heated confrontation on the sidelines.

Moments later, Jose Mourinho received a red card after clashing with members of Porto’s coaching staff. Porto’s assistant coach Lucho Gonzalez was also sent off following the altercation.

This incident added another dramatic chapter to Mourinho’s long and complex relationship with Porto, the club where he first gained international fame.

While there, he led the team to the 2004 UEFA Champions League Final victory, famously celebrating on the sidelines at Old Trafford after knocking Manchester United out of the competition earlier in that campaign.

He secured six trophies during his time at Porto, making his choice to join their fierce rivals Benfica last September all the more controversial.

Mourinho took the job after being let go by Fenerbahce.

His arrival immediately heightened tensions between the two Portuguese giants.

After the match, Mourinho firmly disagreed with the referee’s reasoning for his dismissal.

“The referee said he sent me off because I kicked a ball toward the Porto bench, which is completely false.

“Many times after goals, I have kicked the ball into the stands to give it to a lucky fan and celebrate. I know I’m not very good technically, but it was meant for the stands.”

The Portuguese manager also shared that the situation escalated further after the final whistle when he met Porto’s coaching staff in the tunnel.

When asked about the confrontation with Lucho Gonzalez, Mourinho was candid.

“He called me a traitor 50 times in the tunnel. I’d like him to explain to me, a traitor to what? I went to Porto, I gave my soul to Porto.

“I went to Chelsea, then Inter, then Real Madrid. I traveled the world and gave 24 hours of my life every day, gave my life, my soul.

“That’s what professionalism is about.

“Insults from the fans are one thing. But a fellow professional calling me a traitor, why? A traitor to what? Giving everything to Benfica? A traitor to what? I didn’t like it.”