One of European football's most successful and charismatic managers Jose Mourinho turns 60 this week - and it is incredible to think that he starting his footballling coaching journey with a visit to Largs.

In 1994, while employed as a translator by Bobby Robson at Porto, the future Chelsea, Manchester United and Real Madrid boss attended the SFA summer school which was then under the tutelage of Andy Roxburgh.

It certainly left an impression with Jose as he returned to Scotland in 2000 to complete his UEFA B licence, just a few years before he became famous when he guided Porto to the UEFA and Champions League trophies in 2003 and 2004 - and although relatively unknown during his days in Largs, Jose was certainly very memorable to those he took part in the course with. 

Retired Inverclyde Sports Centre Principal John Kent told the News that Jose was happy to mingle with all ages. He said: "The great thing about Inverclyde was that you could have 600 kids doing gymnastics or a Primary 7 football team and you would see the likes of Jose Mourinho or Ally McCoist or Gordon Strachan having lunch with them and sharing their experiences and stories. "

Current principal Barry Fleeting also remembers Jose well - and remembers being amazed when he turned up at Inverclyde and spoke of his Barcleona connections - and sure enough when they went away to check they found out he was a translater at the Nou Camp.

There is a famous story by David Gemmell, who trained or his SFA coaching badge at the same time as Jose, who recalls joining the future managerial maestro in a Largs pub.

The charismatic Portuguese  popped some money into an internet machine which gave them access to the web - and showed them all a picture of him along a group of six coaches led by Louis van Gaal at Barcelona.