AS.com

Despite popular perception, José Mourinho is not always in a serious mood. Proof of this is in an interview he gave to CNN from his office at Real Madrid's training ground in Valdebebas, in which he spoke about issues related to his team at the moment but also relayed some funny anecdotes. The funniest story involves the larger-than-life striker Mario Balotelli, who Mourinho coached while he was at Inter Milan.

"I could write a 200-page book about the two years I spent with Balotelli," said the Portuguese. "It wouldn't be a thriller, it would be a comedy, because the bloke is hilarious."

"Above all I remember one night in Kazan [when Inter were playing in the Champions League]. In this game none of my usual attacking players like Diego Milito or Samuel Eto'o were fit, so Mario played. He picked up a yellow card in the 43rd minute. I spoke to him in the dressing room at half-time for 14 of the 15 minutes available. I told him not to get too involved in the game, to not touch anyone, to not get into an argument with anyone, to not let himself get provoked and to say nothing at all to the referee. And then in the first minute of the second half, he get's himself sent off."