“I was nine or 10 years old and my father was sacked on Christmas Day. ...” — Jose Mourinho Quote

I was nine or 10 years old and my father was sacked on Christmas Day. He was a manager, the results had not been good, he lost a game on December 22 or 23. On Christmas Day, the telephone rang and he was sacked in the middle of our lunch.

Arsenal have won that advantage, nobody gave it to them. By playing fantastic football and by winning matches and by winning trophies, they won that respect that the opponent has for them.

And I think because of the passion of every English player and every English supporter, and every English journalist for the game, most of the game is played with passion, love for football and instinct, but in football you also have to think.

I don't say we are a defensive team. I say we are a strong team in defensive terms, but at the same time lacking sufficient fluidity in attack because that will take time to come.

I love singing Christmas carols. I know every harmony to every music-hall Christmas song.

Santa Claus has the right idea - visit people only once a year.

When you spend such a large portion of your life working - and it's not fun, and you're worried about getting sued or fired for saying the wrong thing or for acting crazy at a work party - then what has work done to America? That's the impetus to have a huge office Christmas party.

It's all about a beautiful table on Christmas day. I put out lovely napkins and napkin holders, and maybe put a wreath in the centre. I like to dish all the veg up into massive serving platters, for everyone to help themselves - it feels so abundant.