On this night, there were no mind games. No crassness or fake gestures. These emotions, these tears, were all too heartfelt and fervent.

Inter Milan had just completed a historic treble after beating Bayern Munich in the 2010 Champions League final in Madrid. Jose Mourinho’s Italian project was complete and he knew, everyone knew, that a parting of ways was inevitable.
So seeing the Portuguese, at the highest of heights after claiming his second European Cup, welling his eyes out with centre back Marco Materazzi outside the Santiago Bernabeu - his soon-to-be home - was a surreal scene. Two of football’s supposed bad cops, embracing in a very real showing of raw passion.

For all of Mourinho’s stunning triumphs, at Porto, Chelsea (twice) and Madrid, his two-year stint at Internazionale was his greatest feat. A feat never before accomplished in Italy’s rich footballing history and not accomplished since.
Not even Arrigo Sacchi or Carlo Ancelotti’s star-studded sides across town won every major trophy in one season. Diego Maradona down south at Napoli didn’t come close in the European Cup, while the domestic dominance of Juventus in the last decade is yet to translate to Europe’s ultimate prize.
But to understand how this legendary year emerged, how Barcelona’s best ever team was overcome and how Materazzi’s tears embodied everything 2009-10 Inter Milan stood for, we have to take this back to the beginning, and the departure of a certain Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
In Mourinho’s first season at Inter Milan, winning Serie A by a ten-point margin was not enough. Owner Massimo Moratti had specifically dispensed of predecessor in the dugout Roberto Mancini due to his ineptitude in Europe, despite three successive Scudettos.
When Inter deservedly crashed out to Manchester United in the last-16 of the Champions League, Mourinho was reeling. He, more than anyone, knew a change in mentality was needed.
So when Pep Guardiola, fresh from a debut-season treble of his own, wanted the Nerazzurri's top-scorer and irrepressible star at the Camp Nou, on paper, Inter's European hopes were taking a severe blow.
What’s more, Mourinho liked Ibrahimovic a lot. Parallels in egotism and charisma made the pair a perfect marriage, but in the summer of 2009, Jose saw the deal as an opportunity.
He let the Swede go, in exchange for the small matter of £59m and Samuel Eto’o, who'd scored against Manchester United in that year's Champions League final. In hindsight, this was a Mourinho masterstroke.
Using the funds as he pleased, he also acquired Diego Milito and Thiago Motta from Genoa, veteran centre back Lucio from Bayern Munich, versatile forward Goran Pandev from Lazio and Wesley Sneijder from Real Madrid, yet to unleash his full potential.
Suddenly, the nucleus of Mourinho’s side had taken shape. Players full of skill and operating in their prime but, most significantly, prepared to run a thousand miles and more for their manager - something Zlatan innately wasn’t built to do.
What people often forget though is that Inter actually met Barca earlier that season in the group-stages of the competition. Mourinho and Co stumbled to second-place, unable to record a victory against the Catalans.
But by the turn of the year, riding high again domestically, something changed. A stockade mentality, against anything and everything opposed to Mourinho’s way of operating, had developed not just within the squad, but within the entire club.
For example, Mourinho, in his irrevocably forthright manner, was upset with refereeing decisions going against his team in Italy’s top-flight.
All too aware of the power of his actions, an unforgettable handcuffs gesture to the cameras sent administrative pulses racing in February. A three-game ban. Do you think Mourinho cared?
Up against former flame Chelsea in their first European knockout obstacle, this unison sieged was in full flow against Carlo Ancelotti's side - one of Chelsea's best, who'd go on to win the double.
After Inter won the first-leg tightly, 2-1, Mourinho returned to Stamford Bridge as the star of the show, from chatting up his ex-players in the tunnel to outfoxing Ancelotti over 90 gruelling minutes. A late Samuel Eto'o strike sealed a last-eight berth, and an even later Didier Drogba red card exemplified how Inter's doggedness and resilience could toy with the world's best.
This was the first sight of the Serie A side's ‘shut-up-shop’ mentality and for all its critics, teams consistently couldn’t find an answer to Mourinho's Italian Job. Play to win but above all else, don't dare lose.
But after a straightforward victory against CSKA Moscow in the quarters, the last-four pitted Mourinho against another former flame. He was about to declare war on Tiki-taka in all its glory.
Books have been written about Jose Mourinho’s tumultuous relationship with FC Barcelona. Once a translator, then a coach, but never top-dog.
Before joining Inter, Mourinho was in-the-running to become the next head coach at the Camp Nou. Presentation pitched, ideas conveyed. Yet Barca, much to the Portuguese’s dismay, went in another direction, wary of conflicting personal and footballing ideologies. And Mourinho - king of grudges, if you will - never forgot it.
These two games, with the treble on the line, were the ultimate challenge for Jose Mourinho. How do you stop Lionel Messi and Pep Guardiola?
In match one, at the San Siro, a near-perfect performance of tactical discipline and conversion of chances meant Inter held a 3-1 lead going into the second-leg.
Battlelines drawn, pressure ramped up to the maximum, Mourinho threw down the gauntlet.
‘One thing is to follow a dream, one thing is to follow an obsession,’ he began in his bombastic Machiavellian manner, in the pre-match press conference.
'This is not an obsession, it's just a dream. We have a dream to play in the Champions League final.
'For Barcelona it's not a dream. It’s an obsession. There is a difference between a dream and an obsession. A dream is more pure than an obsession. A dream is about pride...
'For them, this is not a dream anymore. It’s an obsession and the obsession is called Madrid, and Santiago Bernabeu.'
Journalists were drooling. Never have such few words formed so many news-lines. This was peak Mourinho - all his barmy, captivating eccentricities rolled into one 60-second period. Call it what you will - confidence or cockiness, perhaps both - but Mourinho only played mind games of this ilk when his belief was at unshakeable levels. This was one such moment in his career.
You knew ahead of the game that he’d have a plan of cunning proportions. A method, one way or another, to halt the Barca juggernaut in its tracks. And deep down, you knew this second-leg wouldn’t be one for the purists.
The phrase ‘Parking the Bus’ has often been carelessly chucked around in recent years, to represent a team operating in a deep, defensive manner. But this was where that phrase was first coined. Or to go further, as Mourinho would say afterwards, 'we parked the plane.’
Barcelona prodded and toiled, but it wasn't enough. Not even after Inter had Motta sent-off in the first-half, courtesy of some exceptional Sergio Busquets play-acting. Not even after Gerard Pique scored with six minutes to go.
Never has a late 1-0 loss felt so rewarding. Inter were heading for Madrid and not even a hot-headed teenager by the name of Mario Balotelli, at the beginning of his controversy-ridden career, could steal the limelight.
Not usually one for humility in victory, Mourinho basked in his triumph, sprinting on to the pitch and motioning straight up to the directors’ box. Not even a livid Victor Valdes, racing over to confront him, could stop ‘The Translator’ now.
Afterwards, a purring Mourinho said: 'I've won big matches, I've had great moments in my career. This one is the best one.'
After leading for so long, Inter eventually stumbled over the line on the final day to clinch Serie A by two points from Roma. 11 days earlier, they won the Coppa Italia, courtesy of a Diego Milito strike against the same opponents in the Italian capital.
From then on, with the treble tantalisingly close, all roads led to Madrid and though opponents Bayern, coached by Mourinho’s tutor of years gone by Louis Van Gaal, were hitting a peak in their cycle, Mourinho would have his fitting swansong.
On the night, it was a final which never really came to life - just how Mourinho foresaw it. A double from top-scorer Milito, a clean-sheet and a season for the ages, which defied all odds, was complete.
Poetically, Mourinho saw his conquest at an end and the scene of his final triumph would be his next destination. Triggered by his adversarial nature, he fancied a bit more of Pep and Barcelona. Real Madrid appointed him manager six days later.
But it’s worth remembering that season in which a football club were the wholehearted embodiment of their manager. Courage, defiance and disobedience, the Internazionale institution swarmed to Mourinho’s win-at-all-costs mentality like bees to honey.
To see the way the man has changed in recent years, amid turmoil in London, Manchester, and back to London, is disheartening for lovers of the game. Perhaps inevitable in the topsy-turvy career that is football management, but disheartening nonetheless.
Which is why his time at Inter ten years ago should be remembered so fondly. Still eager to prove to himself, and to the world, that he was the 21st century coaching gift from the stars, the grey-haired footballing genius hit a glorious peak. His players peaked too, and struggled to adapt when Rafael Benitez arrived that summer.
But most heartwarmingly, Mourinho had a desirable, yet undeniable rapport with his players, never so clearly displayed in that moment of intimacy with Materazzi, a 92nd-minute substitute on the night.
An immeasurable bond that Mourinho has rarely seen since, in his subsequent decade in management. Not often does professional sport have such a perfect crescendo, concluding with the pinnacle. Inter 2010 is the modern-day anomaly.
HimsDLee
0
And Messi still got to win the Ballon d’or that year. Such an unfathomable robbery from Schneider. Dafuq was wrong with UEFA?
Bitacmou
0
Olodo 😏
KES09
0
Ac Milan is the best club in Italy..
Never
Theman21
0
CSKA Moscow is Russian, CSKA Sofia is from Bulgaria, they used to be both communist countries, which is why they are similar.
Ok 👌.
BlueBlackSnake
0
I can’t say I have, but I’ve heard about Cska Moscow
CSKA Moscow is Russian, CSKA Sofia is from Bulgaria, they used to be both communist countries, which is why they are similar.
Theman21
0
The only team I support is CSKA Sofia, I don’t know if you’ve heard about it.
I can’t say I have, but I’ve heard about Cska Moscow
BlueBlackSnake
0
And I said sure you do. 🤣🤣
The only team I support is CSKA Sofia, I don’t know if you’ve heard about it.
Theman21
0
I told you, I just support one club.
And I said sure you do. 🤣🤣
BlueBlackSnake
0
Sure you do, you plasticccc and deluded Mourinho fanboy. 😂😂😂
I told you, I just support one club.
Theman21
0
I only support one club.
Sure you do, you plasticccc and deluded Mourinho fanboy. 😂😂😂
BlueBlackSnake
0
I didn’t even see a logo next to your name. That’s probably because your a plasticcc fan who supports like 10 Clubs. LOL🤣🤣😂😂😂
I only support one club.
Theman21
0
Oh yeah glitch, then how come I don’t have changing logos next to my name?
I didn’t even see a logo next to your name. That’s probably because your a plasticcc fan who supports like 10 Clubs. LOL🤣🤣😂😂😂
BlueBlackSnake
0
It’s a glitch in allfootball that logos get changed sometimes, not my problem. But then again your a deluded Mourinho fan who keeps embarrassing himself. 😂😂😂😂😂😂So humiliating.
Oh yeah glitch, then how come I don’t have changing logos next to my name?
Theman21
0
Lol and why do you change your team logo? What a fake user 🤣🤣🤣 I am done talking to you clown
It’s a glitch in allfootball that logos get changed sometimes, not my problem. But then again your a deluded Mourinho fan who keeps embarrassing himself. 😂😂😂😂😂😂So humiliating.
Theman21
0
If I am a child, then what are you, when you can’t answer a question you’ve been asked? 🤣🤣🤣
You can’t answer a simple question nothing I can do about it you clown. 😂😂😂😂
BlueBlackSnake
0
“I asked first”. This isn’t pre school u stupidddd idiottt. Like I said before I don’t expect anything else from a clown and small child like you. 😂😂😂😂
Lol and why do you change your team logo? What a fake user 🤣🤣🤣 I am done talking to you clown
BlueBlackSnake
0
“I asked first”. This isn’t pre school u stupidddd idiottt. Like I said before I don’t expect anything else from a clown and small child like you. 😂😂😂😂
If I am a child, then what are you, when you can’t answer a question you’ve been asked? 🤣🤣🤣
Theman21
0
I asked first l, are you that stupid??? I guess you are since you can’t comprehend simple English.
“I asked first”. This isn’t pre school u stupidddd idiottt. Like I said before I don’t expect anything else from a clown and small child like you. 😂😂😂😂
BlueBlackSnake
0
And you still ignore my simple question. Don’t expect anything else from a clown like you. 😂😂😂😂
I asked first l, are you that stupid??? I guess you are since you can’t comprehend simple English.
Theman21
0
And you still ignore my simple question... wow what a clown
And you still ignore my simple question. Don’t expect anything else from a clown like you. 😂😂😂😂
BlueBlackSnake
0
You give what you get that’s how it works, anyways Keep crying kid and making excuses your Mourinho will not ever surpass Guardiola ever. 😂😂😂
And you still ignore my simple question... wow what a clown
Theman21
0
And you keep not answering the question that I asked. Is it that hard. I will answer your question if you answer mine. I asked first, after all. Show some manners if you have any.
You give what you get that’s how it works, anyways Keep crying kid and making excuses your Mourinho will not ever surpass Guardiola ever. 😂😂😂
BlueBlackSnake
0
You still ignore my question, why did Mourinho not win UCL with Real Madrid or Chelsea even though he spent hundreds of millions with them? 😂😂😂
And you keep not answering the question that I asked. Is it that hard. I will answer your question if you answer mine. I asked first, after all. Show some manners if you have any.
Theman21
0
You still ignore my question 😂😂😂. Why hasn’t Pep won the CL since leaving Barca?
You still ignore my question, why did Mourinho not win UCL with Real Madrid or Chelsea even though he spent hundreds of millions with them? 😂😂😂
BlueBlackSnake
0
Being a great coach means your successful and win your team trophies that’s what Guardiola did at Bayern and city.
You still ignore my question 😂😂😂. Why hasn’t Pep won the CL since leaving Barca?
Theman21
0
Bayern and City were already top clubs in their leagues, as you can tell Bayern was dominating the league before Pep arrived and after Pep left. How does that make him a great coach?
Being a great coach means your successful and win your team trophies that’s what Guardiola did at Bayern and city.
BlueBlackSnake
0
Keep crying. He went to 3 leagues and dominated. When you get offers to go to big clubs only a fool would reject to make their legacy bigger, the only thing matters is if he was successful and he was very successful, only manager in history above him now are Alex Ferguson and Johan Cryuff. Mourinho will never touch Pep Guardiola.
Bayern and City were already top clubs in their leagues, as you can tell Bayern was dominating the league before Pep arrived and after Pep left. How does that make him a great coach?
Theman21
0
Yeah and Pep only happens to go to already top clubs, why didn’t he go to Porto, or Spurs? Doesn’t have the guts to do it
Keep crying. He went to 3 leagues and dominated. When you get offers to go to big clubs only a fool would reject to make their legacy bigger, the only thing matters is if he was successful and he was very successful, only manager in history above him now are Alex Ferguson and Johan Cryuff. Mourinho will never touch Pep Guardiola.
BlueBlackSnake
0
Why didn’t Mourinho win The UCL with Real Madrid or Chelsea even though he spent so much money eventually becoming the most money spent coach in football history? because You don’t win everything, That’s football. 2 UCLS and 29 trophies for only 11 years as manager is mind blowing. That’s Pep for you.
Yeah and Pep only happens to go to already top clubs, why didn’t he go to Porto, or Spurs? Doesn’t have the guts to do it
Theman21
0
And if he was so dominant, why didn’t he win the Champions League with City or with Bayern?
Why didn’t Mourinho win The UCL with Real Madrid or Chelsea even though he spent so much money eventually becoming the most money spent coach in football history? because You don’t win everything, That’s football. 2 UCLS and 29 trophies for only 11 years as manager is mind blowing. That’s Pep for you.
BlueBlackSnake
0
Wow a useless EPL match was won by Mourinho he still has like half the wins as Pep does against him. Pep wasn’t even a manger when Mourinho won the UCL but his first year as a manager he wins the treble and the sextuple with a Barcelona side that hadn’t won anything in 2 years. There’s a reason Guardiola isn’t even 50 yet he has 29 trophies, he dominated in 3 leagues now and he still has at least 15-20 years in managerial years infornt of him. Mourinho can’t even touch Pep Guardiola.
And if he was so dominant, why didn’t he win the Champions League with City or with Bayern?
Theman21
0
What happened last time? Spurs beat City it seems. Also, Mourinho won as many Champions Leagues as Pep, before pep did it. With two different teams. Teams that didn’t have Messi, Puyol, Iniesta, Xavi in them.
Wow a useless EPL match was won by Mourinho he still has like half the wins as Pep does against him. Pep wasn’t even a manger when Mourinho won the UCL but his first year as a manager he wins the treble and the sextuple with a Barcelona side that hadn’t won anything in 2 years. There’s a reason Guardiola isn’t even 50 yet he has 29 trophies, he dominated in 3 leagues now and he still has at least 15-20 years in managerial years infornt of him. Mourinho can’t even touch Pep Guardiola.
BlueBlackSnake
0
Keep crying kid. Truth hurts. He wishes he was even close to Pep Guardiola and Johan Cryuff, first he needs to improve his horrible record against his daddy Pep Guardiola, then maybe we’ll talk. 😂😂😂
What happened last time? Spurs beat City it seems. Also, Mourinho won as many Champions Leagues as Pep, before pep did it. With two different teams. Teams that didn’t have Messi, Puyol, Iniesta, Xavi in them.
Theman21
0
Yeah and no one cares, he is still better than all of your coaches
Keep crying kid. Truth hurts. He wishes he was even close to Pep Guardiola and Johan Cryuff, first he needs to improve his horrible record against his daddy Pep Guardiola, then maybe we’ll talk. 😂😂😂
kepkloz
0
Ac Milan is the best club in Italy..
BlueBlackSnake
0
Yep he did great 2010 inter were spectacular, then he went to Madrid and saw Barcelona win 7 trophies in 3 years and he left for Chelsea after failing hard in 2013.
Yeah and no one cares, he is still better than all of your coaches
Theman21
0
What are you saying? Just give him credit period.
I did give him credit when I said he was spectacular in 2010 with inter.
lesaersy
1
Yep he did great 2010 inter were spectacular, then he went to Madrid and saw Barcelona win 7 trophies in 3 years and he left for Chelsea after failing hard in 2013.
What are you saying? Just give him credit period.
Masterdecor
1
Jose the one inter president call the "master of the game" know as the "special one"
Theman21
2
Yep he did great 2010 inter were spectacular, then he went to Madrid and saw Barcelona win 7 trophies in 3 years and he left for Chelsea after failing hard in 2013.
DanRash10
2
This guy almost killed the special one(Mourinho) because of Celebration 😂😂😂😂👇💔
therevenant
1
That really was peak Mourinho...we will never see the like again.
SCOPA
1
🔊🔊oh Hail to D Special One🙌🏾🙌🏾
DanRash10
3
Mourinho "(the special one) " refused to park his Bus and went for the CUP