20 December,2015 08:33 AM IST | | AFP
Jose Mourinho attended the Championship match between Brighton and Hove Albion and Middlesbrough on Saturday in his first public appearance since being sacked as Chelsea manager on Thursday
Jose Mourinho sits in the stands ahead of Saturday's Championship match between Brighton and Hove Albion and Middlesbrough at Amex Stadium
London: Jose Mourinho attended the Championship match between Brighton and Hove Albion and Middlesbrough on Saturday in his first public appearance since being sacked as Chelsea manager on Thursday.
Jose Mourinho sits in the stands ahead of Saturday's Championship match between Brighton and Hove Albion and Middlesbrough at Amex Stadium. Pic/Getty Images
Mourinho, sporting a newly shaven head and wearing a dark jacket, was photographed in a seat at the Amex Stadium, where his former Real Madrid assistant Aitor Karanka was taking charge of Middlesbrough, who won 3-0.
Jose not tired
The agency that represents Mourinho said in a statement that the 52-year-old would not be taking a sabbatical and would be attending matches in order to provide support to his "friends" in the game.
"He will not be taking a sabbatical, he isn't tired, he doesn't need it, he is very positive, and is already looking forward," said a statement from management group CAA.
Supporting friends
"Because of his love of football, you will see Jose at football grounds working and supporting friends. He will not be attending any high-profile games because he wants to discourage any speculation about his future.
"Jose will remain living in London and hopes he and his family will be given the opportunity to do this privately. Jose will not speak about his current situation for the foreseeable future. He asks the media to respect this decision."
Although Chelsea announced the separation was by "mutual consent", the CAA statement directly contradicted that version of events.
"During his career, Jose has sometimes chosen to leave a club, but only at Chelsea has the club decided that he should leave," it said.
"Each time represents for him the end of a cycle, and the opportunity to start a new one. Jose hopes that his future after Chelsea this time will be as successful as when he left the club in 2007."
After being sacked by Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich in 2007, Mourinho joined Inter Milan.
