Former Ivory Coast striker Didier Drogba and Michael Essien, his Ghanaian ex-teammate at Chelsea, on Wednesday defended their former coach Jose Mourinho, who has been accused of racist remarks by Turkish club Galatasaray.
Galatasaray said it would launch criminal proceedings against Fenerbahce manager Mourinho following Monday’s drawn league match when the 62-year-old said the home bench had been “jumping like monkeys”.
Fenerbahce responded by saying the Portuguese coach’s comments had been “taken out of context” and “deliberately distorted”.
Drogba, who was Chelsea’s record signing when he joined in 2004 and one of Mourinho’s key players when he guided them to back-to-back Premier League titles, took to X to lend his support.
Dear @GalatasaraySK
You know how proud I was to wear the yellow and red jersey and my love for the most decorated club in Turkey!!
We all know how passionate and heated rivalries can be, and I’ve been lucky enough to experience it.
Ive seen the recent comments about Jose…
— Didier Drogba (@didierdrogba) February 26, 2025
Essien also came to his old coach’s defence, posting on X and Instagram an old photo of himself and Drogba alongside Mourinho, accompanied by three hearts.
© Agence France-Presse
Photo: FabrizioRomano/X