Former Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho has explained his approach to big games such as facing Man City and Liverpool.
The Portuguese coach, who also managed the likes of Real Madrid and Inter Milan, is currently unemployed after being sacked by United last season.
Appearing on Sky Sports ahead of the North London derby, Mourinho was asked how he prepares for derby matches, and he describes the importance of the emotional side of the game on those occasions.
“There’s a certain way to live the game, it’s not just a professional way,” he said.
“When you are in a derby, even if you are not a local boy, in your case (talking to Graeme Souness) you were local in the Rangers vs Celtic, but not for example in Sampdoria vs Genoa.
“It is something you can’t explain, you can only feel.”
During his time at United , Mourinho won just one of his five league games against City, drawing one and losing the other three.
He was more successful against Liverpool, drawing three, winning one, and losing just the once too.
And Mourinho, who was dismissed after 3-1 defeat to Jurgen Klopp’s side, believes that it’s important to become a supporter of the club you’re in charge of - even if it means wearing the club’s colours to bed.
He added: “I have to say that in a derby, the night before, I sleep with the pyjamas of my team and I wake up ready to go. It is a special feeling.
“You can’t just think about what you feel but also what the fans feel.
“The ones that were born there, that were born with that rivalry. Milan, Inter, what that means for me?
“I’m not Italian, I never played for Inter, I never lived in Italy. I have nothing to do with that. I have to be under the skin that love the club.”
