The Special One's Most Important Team: Inside José Mourinho's Family Life with His Wife and Two Children

Soccer manager José Mourinho is known as "the special one," but it's his family who's most special to him. He married Matilde "Tami" Faria in 1989, and they welcomed two kids: daughter Matilde Faria Mourinho Felix and son José Mario Mourinho Jr., born in 1996 and 2000, respectively. Mourinho and Faria's daughter started her own jewelry company and their son had a soccer career as well. Though Mourinho's work often keeps him busy and away from his family, he has said they are the most important part of his life.

"Sometimes you have a feeling of, 'I should be there, I'm not there,' " Mourinho said in Netflix's 2026 documentary Mourinho. "But I don't want you to think that family means something less important to me. They are in a place that they cannot even be compared with football."

Mourinho and His Wife: A Love Story That Began in Their Teens

Before he became a soccer manager known as "the special one," Mourinho began dating his wife Matilde "Tami" Faria when they were teenagers growing up in Setúbal, Portugal. They married in 1989. Mourinho feels that the length of time he and his wife have known each other allowed them to build a deep trust and seamless communication.

"My wife trusts me, my wife knows me," he told the Irish Mirror in 2014. "She has been with me since I was 17 and she was 15; everything is so crystal clear for us."

Their relationship has been a constant throughout Mourinho's turbulent career, which has taken him across Europe to manage some of the continent's biggest clubs. Through the highs of Champions League victories and the lows of sackings and criticism, Faria has remained a steady presence.

Mourinho's wife was the one who encouraged him to become Inter Milan's manager instead of England's after he was offered the position in 2007. "My wife told me not to take it and she was right," Mourinho told The Guardian in 2014. "It was the right decision. We are talking about seven years ago… and I cannot wait two years for a big competition. I cannot be spending two years playing against Kazakhstan and San Marino… and she was right. It was not the job for me seven years ago, it's not the job for me now and I don't think it will be the job for me in seven years' time. Maybe in 15 years from now but not seven."

A Permanent Tribute: Mourinho's Tattoo

Around 2014, Mourinho got his wife and kids' names tattooed on his wrist. "I'm romantic in the sense that the people I love, they have to know that I love them, and they do know it, and they feel it … My wife did a tattoo and challenged me to do it. I didn't at first because I always felt, 'Urrrgh it hurts' and 'I don't have to do this to my skin', and so on and so on," Mourinho told the Irish Mirror. "But it was her birthday and I thought it would be a good gift to her. So I had my wife and my kids' names on my wrist and it was not as painful as I thought. It was easy."

The tattoo serves as a constant reminder of what matters most to him, even as he navigates the pressures of managing at the highest level of football.

Matilde Faria Mourinho Felix: A Daughter with a Conscience

Mourinho's daughter, Matilde, developed a passion for jewelry after receiving a meaningful ring from her mother and bracelet from her grandmother. However, when she learned about some of the social and environmental issues surrounding traditional jewelry production methods, she was motivated to start her own brand, Matilde.

"I began to question whether it was possible to craft beautiful, fine jewelry pieces sustainably and free from such negativity," Matilde wrote on her company's website. "Fine jewelry that could pass from generation to generation proudly, timeless beauty imbued with eternal values. With this in mind, I created MATILDE."

The brand reflects her commitment to sustainability and ethical production, values that she has carried forward from her family. Matilde married property consultant Daniel Graham on Oct. 12, 2024, after having first met when they were teenagers. The entire day was a family affair as the wedding took place at her childhood home.

"I woke up in my childhood bedroom and got ready with my family on the morning of my wedding … Being surrounded by [my family] kept me calm and relaxed as the day began," Matilde told British Vogue in 2024. "Seeing all our favourite people in one place was an incredible feeling."

In 2024, she starred alongside her father in an Uber Eats commercial, showcasing their playful dynamic.

José Mario Mourinho Jr.: Following in His Father's Footsteps

Mourinho's son spent his entire life growing up around soccer. When he was younger, he would even help his father by providing analysis after matches and continued to do so on opposing teams when his father managed Manchester United. While Mourinho was coaching Inter Milan, Real Madrid and Chelsea, Mourinho Jr. played soccer as a goalkeeper for their academies. By the time he was 15, he joined Fulham FC's U18 team as their goalkeeper.

In 2023, he starred alongside his father in a comedic Sky Mexico commercial, becoming part of Sky+ alongside his son. The appearance showcased a lighter side of the famous manager and his family.

A Life of Sacrifice and Cherished Moments

Mourinho has been one of the busiest soccer managers of the last 20 years. As his kids grew up, though, he said it was important to cherish any time he could get with them.

"A good night for me is to have a nice dinner with my wife and son and daughter," Mourinho told The Big Issue in 2015. "Obviously, now they are getting older and they are starting to have their lives and they have their friends also, so at this moment with school, football, university we cannot be like before with lunch and dinner together every day. So now it is different, so a good night for me is to enjoy them and have a good meal and after that spend time with my family."

Despite the demands of his career, Mourinho has made it clear that his family remains his priority. The Netflix documentary Mourinho offered a rare glimpse into his private life, revealing a man who is deeply devoted to his wife and children.

José Mourinho may be known for his tactical brilliance and controversial personality, but behind the scenes, he is a devoted husband and father. His relationship with his wife Tami has endured for over three decades, and his children have forged their own paths in business and sports. For Mourinho, the most important title of all is not "the special one" but simply "father."