DIDIER DROGBA is used to reducing opposition defences to
quivering wrecks. But yesterday morning it was the 6ft-plus
powerhouse who broke down in tears after Jose Mourinho hugged him
like a son.
The changing room at Chelseas Cobham training HQ is usually a hub
of noise and banter on any given morning. Drogba will often try to
hog the stereo system to play his rap music while the players get
changed and warm up for their daily session. This time, though, the
only sound was silence.
Mourinho had told two of his team he would drop by just after 10
oclock and collect his belongings before going to say goodbye to
his family. Nobody was late and barely a word was said as they
waited for him. Some of the younger lads got changed as usual but
quickly realised this would be no ordinary day at the club.
A couple of the senior players remembered the day Claudio Ranieri
made the same journey to the old training ground. They recalled the
sickness in their stomach at the knowledge they were losing someone
they loved and respected. Chelsea has changed almost unrecognisably
since Roman Abramovich fired Ranieri. The way the players feel
about Mourinho is also incomparable.
When he stepped into the dressing room almost every player was by
his usual change station. Two or three tried to greet him but his
body language said that he would do the talking. Without any fuss
or ceremony, the former Chelsea manager moved towards one side of
the room to speak to the players.
Brazil star Juliano Belletti was one of the first. In Portuguese,
Mourinho spoke warmly of his performances since he signed for
Chelsea and wished the defender luck. Alex, his countryman, was
next and was given similar treatment.
One by one, Mourinho moved around the rectangular room speaking
to each of the players and thanking them for their work while he
was boss. With some like Petr Cech and Ricardo Carvalho he put
his hands on their face and reminded them of shared glory ... the
first title, last seasons FA Cup ...Mourinho told them how proud
he was of what they had achieved and asked that they pass on his
best wishes to their wives and children.
Others were not treated with such kindness. Andriy Shevchenko was
offered a handshake which, according to one member of staff, could
have frozen a mug of tea.
And then came Didi. The big Ivory Coast striker smiled at his boss
but there was nothing in his look to suggest this was a time for
happiness. Mourinho put his hands on the players arms and spoke a
little louder, as if he wanted some people to hear his words.
You are one of the best strikers in the world and you have made
yourself into one of the best players, Mourinho told him. I am
very proud of you, Didi and you should be proud of
yourself.
You have worked hard and you are a winner. Always remember you are
a winner.
Mourinho then put his arms around the hitman and hugged him like a
departing father. As he moved on, Drogba failed to keep himself
together and broke down in tears. Mourinho continued his circuit
but only repeated the kind of praise he had for the striker when he
embraced Frank Lampard.
And so he left the room and picked up a few personal belongings he
had collected from his office including a photo of his two
children with their pet dog. Once again, there was silence save for
Florent Malouda who had put his arm around Drogba to comfort
him.
Chief executive Peter Kenyon had the unenviable task of following
Mourinho in to address the players. Kenyon informed them that Avram
Grant would become general manager and Steve Clarke first-team
coach. He began to try and explain the past couple of days but
quickly realised his audience were not interested in who was
replacing their leader.
Their loyalty to Mourinho unlike Chelseas was never in
question. To his players, he will always be Special.
felt goosebumps after reading this
