Jose Mourinho sent a message the way of former Manchester United forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic following the news of his retirement.
The 41-year-old opted to call time on an illustrious playing career in which he represented the Reds from 2016-2018, winning both the EFL Cup and the Europa League - his only European success - under Mourinho's tutelage.
Having arrived on a free transfer from PSG in 2016, the Sweden international scored 29 goals in 53 appearances for the Reds and has been quoted on many occasions insisting he wishes he had joined the club at an even early stage of his career.
Mourinho, currently with Italian outfit Roma, took to Instagram on Monday evening to show his appreciation for the former AC Milan striker, who has since struggled with injuries during the 22/23 campaign.
Mourinho's response on Instagram simply contained multiple clapping emojis and smiley faces, and contained pictures of the pair's time together at United.
And the respect between the pair is mutual. In an extract from his book, I Am Zlatan, the former Barcelona forward spoke candidly about their time together as manager and player. "He formed an attachment to me even before we met. He would become a guy I was basically willing to die for,'' told Zlatan.
"I felt increasingly that this guy gives everything for the team, so I want to give everything for him. It was a quality he had. People were willing to kill for him. No matter how happy I was going to Barca (from Inter in 2009), it was sad to leave Mourinho. That guy is special."
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