The Chelsea FC manager shares his secrets on leadership, his all-time fantasy signing… and his basic need for doughnuts.

If the greatest football manager in the world could pick any player from any era, who would he choose? The answer is not what I would expect from Mr José Mourinho – but then again, little is with the manager of Chelsea FC. As the 52 year old settles in at his favourite table at La Famiglia, just a few minutes’ walk from his team’s stadium in Stamford Bridge, he orders a bowl of penne arrabbiata for lunch. For those unfortunate few who live in a land where the beautiful game is not played (or where the FA Cup is not given at least as much consideration as the results of the national election), allow me to explain why Mr Mourinho’s choice matters.

The Portuguese former gym teacher has achieved something few other managers in sport have: winning four domestic league titles in four different countries – starting off with Porto in his native Portugal, then Chelsea in England, Inter Milan in Italy and Real Madrid in Spain. Now he’s back at Chelsea, where he’s almost certain to start the ball rolling again with another premier league championship this season. So who is the one player he would love to have signed? Pelé? Becks? Sir Bobby Moore?

“George Best. I’m serious. I’m serious,” he quickly adds in reaction to my cocked eyebrow. After all, Mr Best was a player whose prowess on the field was equalled by his libertine excesses off it; one who, you’d imagine, would be difficult to manage. “George Best! He was amazing. Amazing! And he was 30 years ahead of his time. This guy today would be pppphhhhwwwww...” And he’s lost for words. Mr Best must strike a chord with a man of Mr Mourinho’s vintage – after all, he is written into Portuguese football folklore. When Mr Best was 19 (and Mr Mourinho a three year old), he scored two goals in a European Cup quarter-final match against Benfica. And, like Mr Mourinho, Mr Best had something of the rock star about him, dubbed by the Portuguese media “O quinto Beatle” following his teenage feats.