Jose Mourinho reveals he cried and prayed after watching Christian Eriksen suffer a cardiac arrest and collapse on the pitch during Denmark’s Euro 2020 clash with Finland – and says he ‘cannot stop thinking’ about the incident
Jose Mourinho has revealed he cried and prayed after watching Christian Eriksen collapse following a cardiac arrest while playing for Denmark at Euro 2020.
Eriksen, 29, slumped to the turf in horrifying scenes during the fixture against Finland on Saturday and required CPR.
After receiving urgent medical treatment and being rushed to hospital, Denmark star Eriksen is now conscious and in a stable condition at a Copenhagen hospital.
Christian Eriksen (above) collapsed after suffering a cardiac arrest while playing at Euro 2020
Jose Mourinho has revealed he cried and prayed after watching Eriksen collapse on the pitch
Among those watching the incident live on television was Mourinho, who coached Eriksen for two months at Tottenham, and the experienced coach admitted his reaction was one of shock.
‘Today I cannot stop thinking about what happened yesterday,’ Mourinho told talkSPORT. ‘I think it’s a day to celebrate, not to be sad.
‘Hopefully football went in a direction where the organisation, the protocols the level of the doctors and the specialists, and I also believe God was looking at football in that moment.
Mourinho coached Eriksen at Tottenham for two months before the playmaker chose to leave
‘Everything together made Christian to be with us, to be with his family, to be alive.
‘It was much more important than football but at the same time I believe that it also showed the good values of football.
‘The love, the solidarity, family spirit. It was not just about his family it was about the football family. Football bringing people together.
‘I prayed yesterday, I cried yesterday, but how many millions did it around the world? I believe many because football can bring people together.’
Eriksen collapsed just before half-time against Finland and required urgent medical treatment
Eriksen fell just before half-time in Denmark’s opening group game at the tournament, and medics were quickly ushered over by referee Anthony Taylor.
CPR and a defibrillator were used to save Eriksen, all while his team-mates formed a protective ring around him to allow for privacy during the treatment.
Denmark team doctor Morten Boesen has since confirmed that Eriksen ‘was gone’ before being resuscitated – but the cause of the problem is currently unknown.
‘We did cardiac resuscitation, it was cardiac arrest,’ Boesen said. ‘How close were we? I don’t know. We got him back after one defib so that’s quite fast. We don’t have an explanation why it happened.’
Denmark team doctor Martin Boesen confirmed Eriksen ‘was gone’ before being resuscitated
Eriksen is currently continuing his recovery in hospital – and was later able to send a message to the Denmark squad, who took to the field to finish the match after the lengthy stoppage and lost 1-0.
It was also been revealed that Denmark’s players and staff will have access to help and counselling.
In a statement on Twitter, the Danish FA said: ‘Latest news: this morning we have spoken to Christian Eriksen, who has sent his greetings to his team-mates.
Eriksen was taken away by medics and surrounded by team-mates after being brought back
‘His condition is stable and he continues to be hospitalised for further examination.
‘The team and staff of the national team have received crisis assistance and will continue to be there for each other after this incident.
‘We would like to thank everyone for the heartfelt greetings to Christian Eriksen from fans, players, the royal families from both Denmark and England, international associations, clubs.’