Chelsea legend Didier Drogba has come out to defend Jose Mourinho amid accusations of racism, describing the Portuguese tactician as his “dad”.
Currently in charge of Turkish club Fenerbahce, Mourinho, has been the subject of planned legal action from rivals Galatasaray. Speaking after the Istanbul derby, Mourinho said the home bench had been “jumping like monkeys”.
Following this statement, Gala announced plans to initiate criminal proceedings in the light of what they describe as ” derogatory statements directed towards the Turkish people”.
With the statement still generating reactions from football lovers, Drogba who scored 20 goals in 53 appearances for Galatasaray in the 2013-14 season has offered his support to Mourinho who was his boss during two spells at Chelsea.
Jose Mourinho (L) shares a joke with Didier Drogba during their time at Chelsea. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)
“You know how proud I was to wear the yellow and red jersey and my love for the most decorated club in Turkey!!,” the former Ivory Coast striker posted on X.
“We all know how passionate and heated rivalries can be, and I’ve been lucky enough to experience it.
“I’ve seen the recent comments about Jose Mourinho. Trust me when I tell you I have known Jose for 25 years and he is not a racist and history [past and recent] is there to prove it.
“How can my “Dad” be a racist. Come on guys.”
Former Chelsea, Manchester United and Real Madrid manager Mourinho took charge of Fenerbahce in June 2024 after leaving Roma.
Before the Galatasaray encounter, he also repeated criticism of Turkish referees, saying it would have been a “disaster” to use an official from the country.
Sources close to Mourinho say he has been angered by the allegations and is assessing his legal options. The Portuguese is yet to speak publicly on Galatasaray’s statement.
