Deco: Mourinho success down to hard toil

Barcelona star Deco today revealed Jose Mourinho’s success as a manager can be traced to his workaholic lifestyle.

Deco was a star in the Porto team that Mourinho led to Champions League glory last season but unlike Paulo Ferreira and Ricardo Carvalho, he turned his back on a move to the Londoners last summer.

The Brazilian-born star insists he has no regrets about turning his back on Mourinho for a new life with Barcelona as he plots to loosen the Chelsea manager’s grip on the coveted trophy on Wednesday night.

Deco remains one of Mourinho’s favourite players and the Barca midfielder has not ruled out working with him again at some stage in the future.

Under Mourinho’s tenure, Porto won the Portuguese League title twice and the UEFA Cup as well as the Champions League, and Deco says Mourinho’s unquenchable desire for work is why he is at the top of the game.

Deco revealed: “There is no secret behind Mourinho. He is one great coach among many others and he works a lot. “He has been a winner for many years because, besides his ability, he never rests at all. He’s as dedicated as it is possible to be.”

But he also remains adamant that, while Mourinho is a great coach, Deco himself is responsible for his own success as a player.

He said: “He helped me a lot but the one responsible for my success is me. I wasn’t born with Mourinho. I didn’t start playing football with Mourinho. I just played with him in Porto and he was a great coach for me. He taught me a lot and I won a lot with him.

“It would be nice for me to work with him again as he’s a great coach but there is a time for everything. “Chelsea made an offer but my preference has always been to come to Barcelona.

“Mourinho helped teach me how to win but I always had this winning mentality. Where he helped me most was building a great team for me to play in and win titles.”

Deco, now providing the artistry in Frank Rijkaard’s side, has only played once before against a team managed by Mourinho but finished up on the winning side.

He is hoping that history repeats itself on Wednesday night in the far grander setting of the Nou Camp. The Portuguese international added: “I played against him once before when I was at Porto and he was at Leiria. I won the game and I hope it will go the same way on Wednesday.”