Jose Mourinho has managed some of Europe's biggest clubs including Real Madrid, Chelsea and Manchester United. But who are his best ever signings?

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  20Michael Ballack – 2006 – Bayern Munich to Chelsea – Free

  Mourinho signed Andriy Shevchenko in the summer of 2006, with the forward failing to live up to the hype at Chelsea. However, another new addition proved more than adequate for the Blues, with Germany international Ballack turning down Manchester United, Inter Milan and Real Madrid to play under the Portuguese. He won both domestic cups in his first season, and went on to play in the 2008 Champions League final and win the 2009-10 Premier League title.

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  19Maciel – 2001 – Volta Redonda to Uniao Leiria – £90k

  Despite working his way from assistant manager to manager at Benfica, Jose Mourinho lasted just a few months in charge due to a change in club president. Manuel Vilarinho wanted his own man for the job, and the Portuguese resigned after just nine games. His next position was at Uniao de Leiria, where he overachieved thanks to shrewd signings and tactical nous. One of those early signings was Brazilian forward Maciel, who combined with compatriot Derdei to help the team finish seventh and qualify for the Intertoto Cup. Mourinho's talents were quickly noticed, and he was appointed Porto manager before the season had even finished.

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  18Paul Pogba – 2016 – Juventus to Manchester United – £89m

  Manchester United broke the transfer record to bring Paul Pogba back to Old Trafford in 2016, having let the France midfielder leave for Juventus just four years earlier. In Turin, he had developed into one of the best young players in the world, with Mourinho eager to add him in his debut season as United boss. Pogba's enormous price tag saw him criticised by pundits at first, but he soon settled into the team, with Mourinho hitting out at the "Einsteins" who had been too harsh on the 24-year-old. Pogba finished the season superbly, netting the opening goal in a 2-0 win over Ajax to help Manchester United win the Europa League.

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  17Salomon Kalou – 2006 – Feyenoord to Chelsea – £9m

  Salomon Kalou was just 20 years old when Mourinho took him to the Premier League. The Ivory Coast forward had done well in the Eredivisie for Feyenoord, but was unproven at a high level. He quickly settled in the English top flight, playing 57 times in all competitions in his first season. In total, Kalou spent six seasons at Chelsea, winning every domestic trophy as well as the Champions League.

Tags: Futebol
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