Mourinho promises to honour North Macedonian journalist's late father

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VIDEO SHOWS: NEWS CONFERENCE WITH JOSE MOURINHO AT WHICH HE TALKS WITH NORTH MACEDONIAN JOURNALIST NAMED IGOR, PROMISING TO HAVE PHOTO WITH HIM IN HONOUR OF HIS LATE FATHER

SHOWS: LONDON, ENGLAND, UNITED KINGDOM (SEPTEMBER 23, 2020) (TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR HANDOUT - ACCESS ALL)

1. (SOUNDBITE) (English) NORTH MACEDONIAN JOURNALIST, IGOR ALEKSANDROVIC, SAYING:

"Hello boss this is a unique opportunity for me to sk you question . I have two questions and one favour. Probably after the victory in Bulgaria you immediately had a statement that it will be difficult in Macedonia as well. Have you looked or already started with the psychological preparation of your team that is the first question. The second one is, does Jose Mourinho have plans one day to become national coach of Portugal or any national team? And third one is favour. I have to ask you something on behalf of my father. First, greetings you from him. But he is now in heaven. And one of the occasions when he was very sick, he told me that if I ever have opportunity to see you, to ask for picture with you because he was always told me that he raised me like you. Well head coach any team, like psychological like winning and losing and things like that, and he has massive respect my father for you. If you allow me to picture with you, I will get a picture and frame it and put in his eternal resting place. So if the match well good for you and your team would you allow me to do that."

2. (SOUNDBITE) (English) TOTTENHAM MANAGER, JOSE MOURINHO, SAYING:

"Thank you so much. The picture has nothing to do with the result. The picture is done. We do it. If you can meet us before the game or you can meet us in the hotel it may be easier. If it is after the game it is after the game, there is nothing to do with results. So my pleasure to do the picture with you and my honour to your father and respect that he feels so strong about me. I don't deserve that but I thank you so much."

3. (SOUNDBITE) (English) NORTH MACEDONIAN JOURNALIST, IGOR ALEKSANDROVIC, SAYING:

"I am sorry Jose, I see one time my father cry, that was the moment that you was coaching Chelsea and when (Andres) Iniesta scored 90th minute winner Champions League goal. That was the only time in my life that I see my father was crying."

STORY: Tottenham Hotspur boss Jose Mourinho showed a touch of class on Wednesday (September 23) when he arranged to honour the late father of a North Macedonian journalist.

After speaking to reporters via Zoom ahead of his side's Europa League clash with minnows Shkendija, Mourinho left the news conference, much to the dismay of a reporter called Igor - later named by UK newspapers as freelancer Igor Aleksandrovic - who hadn't asked his question.

But the Tottenham media team got Mourinho to resume the call, and it soon became apparent that Igor had a special request.

He told Mourinho that his late father idolised him, and asked if they could have a photo together so he could place it in his "eternal resting place".

Mourinho said win or lose in North Macedonia when the match takes place on Thursday (September 24), he would be happy to oblige.

(Production: Iain Axon)