Newcastle defender Santon: Mourinho was making of me

Newcastle United fullback Davide Santon says Jose Mourinho was the making of him.

Santon was given his senior debut by the Real Madrid coach while they were together at Inter Milan.

Santon said: “Jose Mourinho had a big influence on my career at Inter Milan.

“It was Mourinho who switched me from being an attacker to a defender. I was only 18 and had never played in that position before.

“I am now OK ­playing either side of the back four. When Mourinho first switched me, I played at ­left-back but then when I went to play for the Italian national side I played at right-back. But I’m happy either side.

“Mourinho had faith in me to put me in that position and in the Inter first-team squad. I owe him a lot for pointing me in the right direction.

“It was a great experience working with Jose Mourinho and I will always thank him for what he did. I had some great times at Inter playing in the Champions League and winning the Milan derby against AC when David Beckham was my opponent as well as graduating to the full Italian national side.”