Jose Mourinho has not had the impact he would have hoped as Manchester United Manager, but he did have a very positive impact for UNICEF last week. The “Special One” joined his team at the club’s 17th annual gala dinner in aid of the children’s charity.
All of the Manchester United first team squad (including Bastian Schweinseiger, who has been out of favour since Jose Mourinho joined the club) attended the United For UNICEF gala dinner. The United boss undoubtedly stole the Mourinho Auctions Watch headlines when he took the watch from his wrist to include it as a last minute addition to the charity auction.
Mourinho Auctions Watch For Charity
Jose Mourinho had already donated the “The Mourinho Collection” – which included a worn adidas hoodie, training top and the scarf he held aloft when he joined Manchester United, all signed. The Special One then decided to throw his watch in as a last minute addition to the auction.
Mourinho’s own Hublot Big Bang Unico Bi-Retrograde Chrono Titanium Ceramic watch is valued at around £16,000 – so it really was a very generous action by the United boss. It is also a bit of a surprise that he gave the watch away as he has often spoke about his large watch collection. When he was manager of Chelsea he said:
“When I win titles the gifts are for my wife, my daughter and my son. I take my watch from my wrist and I don’t wear it again. Like people keep medals or shirts, I keep my watches. Another thing is if I don’t win, the watch becomes a normal watch, so I wear, I don’t wear, I wear, I don’t wear. But when I finish a season with a trophy, that season is represented with a watch. I have 21.”
Thanks in part to Mourinho’s generosity, the United For UNICEF gala helped raise an incredible £215,000 for the charity.
When Mourinho slipped off his watch to hand it over to the auctioneers he allowed a rare glimpse of his secret tattoo. The tattoo on his wrist is always hidden as Mourinho is rarely seen without a watch. The tattoo reportedly took an hour to complete back in July 2013 and cost him £80. The tattoo pays tribute to the devoted family man’s wife and children by listing their names on his wrist.
What Will The Money Raised Achieve?
While Mourinho Auctions Watch is a very good headline – the real story is what the money raised will achieve. The money raised at the 17th United For UNICEF gala dinner will help fund education schemes for children in Thailand. Since the first event in 1999 United For UNICEF have raised an incredible £4 million for the children’s charity.
Mourinho said of the event, “What has struck me, since being appointed as manager, is the dedication, commitment and the passion of our fans in everything we do. We can all relate to the fundamental right for every child to have a good education, so with the help and generosity of our fans, we can help make a difference to thousands of children in Thailand.”
United defender Daley Blind added, “It’s for a great cause. It’s so important for kids to have an education, so it’s great to be here as a team and raise as much money as we can to help the children in Thailand have a good future. I think everybody enjoys doing charity events like this; making the children happy makes is happy, so it’s a good thing.”
The event is held once a year, allowing United fans the opportunity to rub shoulders with their favourite players. If you are a big fan of Manchester United then you might want to head along to next years event and, who knows, you might just go home with another of Mourinho’s watches!
Images: Aleksandr Osipov
