Despite it appearing Jose Mourinho had a personal grudge against FC Barcelona for a few years, he's already been complimentary about his time at the Camp Nou. He learnt his trade working under Bobby Robson and Louis Van Gaal as an assistant and translator. He also rubbed shoulders with some of the best players in the world before branching out on his own.
"That period at Barça was where everything came together. I worked with two of the best coaches in the world and I could stand shoulder to shoulder with some of the best players of that generation. This at a club with an incredible philosophy of how to play, work hard and compete."
"During this time I had to prove I deserved to be there alongside the best players, but it never stopped being a learning period (for me). It was wonderful to work alongside players like Stoickhov, Figo and Ronaldo as well as two great coaches like Robson and Van Gaal."