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It wasn't quite Jose Mourinho live and in the flesh coaching his beloved Aston Villa, but for six-year-old fan Jude Branson, Mourinho's gesture was surely appreciated.

Last week, the young Aston Villa fan wrote to the Chelsea boss requesting that Mourinho take over for Paul Lambert and to take in-form Diego Costa with him.

A heavy request for the Portuguese, but lo and behold, he responded!

Prior to Lambert's Wednesday dismissal, the fan wrote (as per the Birmingham Mail):

Dear Mr. Mourinho, my name is Jude. I am 6 years old and I support Aston Villa. You are my favourite manager. Please could you manage Villa and bring Costa with you? We need help. Thank you, Jude Branson.

It was unlikely that Mourinho would leave league-leading Chelsea, even at the youngster's request, but still good of Mourinho to respond with an autographed picture wishing Jude the best of luck.

The gesture was appreciated by Jude's father, Phil. Per the same Birmingham Mail report:

Jude had a nice surprise today when he came back home from school to find that Jose had sent him a signed picture. The only thing he wanted from his letter was Mourinho to take over at Villa. He didn't get that! So the next best thing for him is definitely this acknowledgment from the man himself. It'll be framed and put on his bedroom wall. It's good to know that his letter was read and maybe even planted the seed in his head which will lead him to the Villa job one day.

This is an excellent way to end a brilliant few days for Jude.

[Birmingham Mail, h/t 101 Great Goals]