Jose Mourinho has been at the forefront of European football in the 21st century, rarely far from the spotlight in a glittering managerial career that has taken him across the continent.
He may now be on the edges of Europe, both figuratively and physically, after joining Fenerbahce in the summer, but Mourinho was never going to quietly fade into the background in Turkey.
The Portuguese coach, now 61, is four months into what he hopes will be another successful chapter of his life.
Mourinho is this week preparing to welcome his former club Manchester United to Istanbul in the Europa League – and he will be getting ready for that clash from his new home, the five-star Four Seasons Bosphorus hotel, which sits on the banks of the Bosphorus.
No expense has been spared for Mourinho – who has been staying there since arriving in Turkey – with the cheapest room in the lavish hotel costing £1,000-a-night.
Jose Mourinho is living at the five-star Four Seasons hotel on the banks of the Bosphorus
The cheapest room at the luxury hotel costs punters a staggering £1,000-a-night
Mourinho has been staying at the Four Seasons hotel ever since he moved to Turkey in June
There are two pools, including an indoor one that Mourinho is said to swim in every morning
Although a seemingly extortionate cost for an average person, the price of not putting permanent roots down is small change for Mourinho, a man on £10million-a-season in Turkey.
In fact, given it is 142 days since Mourinho’s appointment on June 2, it is estimated that he has already racked up a £142,000 bill at the Four Seasons, although this is just 1.42 per cent of his yearly salary.
Describing itself as the ‘premier destination for luxury accommodations in Istanbul’, Mourinho’s views from his suite in this 19th-century palace on the European side of the city extend across the Bosphorus Strait, to the Asian side where Fenerbahce are based.
During his time as United manager, Mourinho stayed in a Premium Riverside Suite at The Lowry Hotel, but the Four Seasons is on another level.
On the hotel’s website, it describes the venue as ‘one of the finest hotels in Istanbul,’ where ‘we take pride in providing exceptional service and amenities to ensure your stay is nothing short of extraordinary.’
The description continues: ‘Whether you’re here for business or leisure, our meticulously designed rooms and suites offer the perfect blend of comfort and elegance.
‘Indulge in world-class dining options, relax at our Spa or simply unwind while gazing at the breathtaking Bosphorus view from your room.
‘Renowned as one of the best hotels in Bosphorus, Istanbul, our commitment to excellence guarantees a memorable stay.’
The number of amenities available to Mourinho is frankly mind-boggling, with the hotel possessing five restaurants.
This includes an all-day dining option, a fish and seafood spot, a lunch restaurant with Asian and Mediterranean inspirations, a kebab and meze pop-up and brunch, while guests can also request in-room dining.
The hotel also has a luxury state-of-the-art outdoor swimming pool, which is heated
Mourinho’s views from his suite in this 19th-century palace on the European side of the city extend across the Bosphorus Strait, to the Asian side where Fenerbahce are based
There are several amenities available to Mourinho, with the hotel possessing five restaurants
However, when Mail Sport visited the hotel, we reported how hotel staff joke Mourinho orders the same thing for dinner every night – chicken soup followed by margherita pizza, ice cream and sparkling water.
The only thing he can cook is scrambled eggs. Occasionally, he ventures a few hundred metres out of the hotel into the packed streets of Besiktas to a favoured doner kebab joint, where the staff showed Mail Sport images of Mourinho tucking in alone and reveal that he has asked them not to share.
Along with the stunning views from the hotel, it also includes two state-of-the-art swimming pools.
The indoor pool, where Mourinho swims regularly every morning before being driven to Fenerbahce’s training ground by a chauffeur, has underwater speakers.
Meanwhile, the outdoor pool, which sits on the bank of the Bosphorus, is heated, which could be particularly useful when temperatures in Istanbul drop to an average of nine degrees in January.
There is also an impressive fitness centre and spa, while the hotel similarly has an electric car charging station, although given Mourinho has a chauffeur, it is unlikely he uses this.
Fenerbahce were prepared to rent the best house in town but Mourinho – who signed a two-year deal on arrival – opted for the hotel life.
Mail Sport understands this surrounds a desire from the Portuguese coach to get things done, with Mourinho believing this would be made possible by staying in a hotel.
There are seven different hotel suite options, although it is unclear which one Mourinho has
Mourinho is plotting the downfall of his former club Man United on Thursday evening
There are seven different hotel suite options at the Four Seasons, although it is unclear which one Mourinho has.
The Palace Roof Suite is an example of the accommodation on offer. This includes a king size bed, a private terrace, a marble bathroom and views of the strait of the Bosphorus and the shores of Asia.
Overall, it’s clear to see Mourinho is living a life of luxury in Istanbul, and while things are yet to fully click on the pitch, the 61-year-old has everything he needs to succeed off it.
And if he can mastermind a memorable victory against his former club on Thursday, Mourinho may celebrate with a trip to one of the Four Seasons’ five restaurants, or perhaps he’ll take a dip in the pool.
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