Former Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho sent a touching message to the UK following the sad death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, who died at the age of 96.
The Queen died peacefully at Balmoral Castle on Thursday afternoon, a Buckingham Palace statement confirmed. Elizabeth II was the nation’s longest-reigning monarch, serving as head of state for more than 70 years.
The announcement of The Queen's death came less than two hours before United were due to kick-off their Europa League match against Real Sociedad at Old Trafford on Thursday night. A decision was made, following direction from UEFA, that the game was to go ahead as planned.
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An impeccably observed minute's silence was held before the game, where Erik ten Hag's side would lose 1-0 to their Spanish opposition, although both the match and result was overshadowed by the sad news.
People from across the world have paid their respects, as Mourinho, the former United, Chelsea and Tottenham manager, paid his own tribute after he heard the news. The current AS Roma manager spoke to the press after his side's 1-0 defeat to Ludogrets in the Europa League last night.
He said: "I'm so sorry. I'm not a foreigner in England, it's my home, my family's. A figure who is respected by everyone in the world disappears, a great lady, as well as a queen.”
Mourinho spent nearly a decade managing in England during his time at the three Premier League clubs, and his comments reflect just how big an impact The Queen's death has had around the world.
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