Real Madrid boss Jose Mourinho was set to make it from the start according to former St Johnstone midfielder Nick Dasovic. The Canadian tactician did his 'B' coaching licence in Largs, which is situated in North Ayrshire in Scotland, with the Portuguese maestro back in 2000.
Dasovic, who has been the assistant coach with the Canadian national team and the caretaker for Toronto FC, said that Mourinho put so much time into his work when he was learning that it indicated he was always going to make it at the top.
"I went on the B licence course run by Tommy Wilson in 2000," he said.
"It was the largest group of candidates the SFA had ever known.
"It was around the time the SPL's television deal with Sky was rumoured to be running out and clubs were losing money.
"So, I guess a lot of players were just like me and panicked, and thought: 'We'd better get into coaching.'
"There were 44 of us on that course.
"We had to be split into four groups and Mourinho - whom I didn't know - was in mine. I think he was second assistant at the time at Barcelona.
"So I was with Jose a lot that week. He was a class guy.
"Back then he was not a big name and was learning his trade at Barca, first under Bobby Robson and then Louis van Gaal.
"A story that summed him up, though, was how he helped this one guy who was struggling with his on-field drills.
"Jose actually stayed up till 3am with him, talking the lad through it all.
"Jose did not have to do that but he wanted to help the guy out.
"That just shows how humble and down-to-earth he was. I know now he comes over as a bit arrogant but I think you have to do that as a coach to succeed at the highest level."
