Mourinho and Chivu: Master and Student Complete the Circle at the Bernabéu

Sixteen years after they conquered Europe together, José Mourinho and Cristian Chivu will meet at Santiago Bernabéu from opposite benches. The stadium links the former master and pupil to the night when they reached the peak of their careers together.

On May 22, 2010, Mourinho led Inter Milan against Bayern Munich, with Chivu at left-back in a defense that also included Maicon, Lucio and Walter Samuel. Diego Milito scored twice as Inter won the European title, completing a treble and ending a 45-year wait for the club.

Chivu had reached the final after a difficult recovery. In January that year, he fractured his skull in a match against Chievo and underwent surgery. He feared for his career, then returned wearing a protective helmet. Mourinho still selected him for the final, where Chivu played 68 minutes before giving way to Dejan Stankovic.

At the final celebration, Chivu removed the helmet and proudly held the European Cup. It was also Mourinho’s last match as Inter coach. He left through the Bernabéu exit and soon began his next spell, this time as Real Madrid manager.

In July 2025, Mourinho called Chivu one of his “children” in an interview with Sky Sport and said he hoped Chivu would succeed with Inter, but not repeat his treble. Chivu took a longer route into management, working through Inter’s youth ranks before accepting the task of saving Parma. In June 2025, he was given charge of the club he had regarded as his own for much of his life.

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