Update: Juan Mata gives powerful tribute to Munich Air Disaster victims
When Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho met reporters today to preview tomorrow’s Premier League home fixture versus Huddersfield Town (video here at this link), it was a very consequential and information filled session. It opened with a reporter pointing out the Munich Air Disaster memorial pin that Mourinho was wearing.
Tuesday will mark the 60th anniversary of the Munich Air Disaster, a tragic event that claimed the lives of 23 people on their way home from United’s European Cup quarterfinal win over Red Star Belgrade. The team plane crashed after a failed takeoff attempt in the snow, taking the lives of eight players and eight journalists.
Mourinho wore a Munich clock badge ahead of the 60th anniversary of the air disaster: 'This is something that was part of my football culture before I become Manchester United manager.' #mufc
— Samuel Luckhurst (@samuelluckhurst) February 2, 2018
Prior to kick-off on Saturday, a minute of silence will be observed, and a memorial service will take place on Tuesday. The events of February 6, 1958 was the very first topic discussed in Mourinho’s presser today.
“I was telling before to MUTV that this is something that is part of my life, or part of my football culture, before I become Manchester United manager,” Mourinho told the assembled media (transcript Manchester Evening News).
“And why? Because was such a tragedy that stayed in these last 60 years.”
“So as Manchester United manager, obviously means much more but I think it belongs to every sportsman as one of the biggest tragedies and at the same time is a crucial point in Manchester United history, the reaction, the strength, the union after that situation.
“And I think tomorrow is an amazing day to show the respect, to show the passion for the club, respect for them, the families and I think is a day to play well, is a day to bring happiness, to bring joy for people to be together, enjoying their colours and at the same time with showing all the respect for the people and the families.”
The Munich Air Disaster is a tragedy that fans of all clubs, not just United, will never forget. The disastrous events in Bavaria over a half-century ago made a huge impression on Mourinho. Here’s what the Red Devils boss said to ManUtd.com about the Munich Air Disaster:
“It’s one of the biggest tragedies but also, at the same time, it’s a crucial point in Manchester United’s history – the reaction, the strength, the union after that situation.”
“I think tomorrow is an amazing day to show the respect, to show the passion for the club, the respect for them [the victims], the respect for their families and I think it’s a day to play well. I think it’s a day to bring happiness, to bring joy, for people to be together enjoying the game and at the same time showing all the respect for the people and their families.”
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net and TheBank.News, which is partnered with News Now. Banks, a former writer for the Washington Times, NBC Chicago.com and Chicago Tribune.com, currently contributes regularly to WGN CLTV and the Tribune company’s blogging community Chicago Now.
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