Eden Hazard, included in the Premier League Hall of Fame last year, joined the club after Mourinho’s first spell in west London but worked under the Portuguese coach between 2013 and 2015. In fact, Mourinho returned to Chelsea for a second spell in 2013 and won the Premier League title for the third time in the 2014-15 season.

The former Lille player was decisive in the title triumph, scoring 14 goals and providing 9 assists, which helped Chelsea finish the season 8 points clear of Manchester City. However, Mourinho was fired in December 2015, when the club was struggling to defend its Premier League title.

Hazard is one of many former and current players who have their own stories to tell about Mourinho, and the 35-year-old and the former Real Madrid, Inter, Manchester United, and Tottenham manager often clashed over their polarized attitudes. However, Hazard has described one such moment as “a really bad time” for the Belgian.

Speaking to The Guardian, Hazard was asked about a particular dispute that stood out, to which he replied: “I don’t have just one, I have many. I remember one time, during Mourinho’s first year, I went to Lille to watch a match, and I lost my passport on the way back.”

“I wasn’t allowed back into England, and I missed training. I returned around 2 p.m. When the session ended, I had to apologize to him. It was a very bad time for me.”

For most, that would have been unforgivable, although Hazard continued: “The following week, he left me out of the team and said it was my fault, but the weekend I returned to the lineup, and everything went well.”

Despite the clash, the respect between Hazard and Mourinho remains intact. When asked what he had learned from the former, Hazard replied: “Many things. His passion for football, the way he trusts players ... The way we trained with him was incredible.”

Hazard was also asked about the difference between the Premier League and La Liga, to which he responded: “They have different styles of play. The Premier League is more physical; you never stop running.

La Liga is more technical. At Madrid you can control the game, but in the Premier League there is no chance: you have to go full speed for 90 minutes.”

He signed for Real Madrid in 2019, but injuries prevented him from enjoying playing time, and he eventually left the club in the summer of 2023. Later that same year, he ended his career.

“You have to listen to yourself and say stop at the right time,” Hazard wrote in a statement in October 2023. “After 16 years and more than 700 matches played, I have decided to end my career as a professional footballer.”

“During my career, I was lucky to meet great directors, coaches, and teammates. Thank you all for these wonderful moments. I will miss you all. I also want to thank the clubs I played for: LOSC, Chelsea, and Real Madrid, and thank the RBFA for my Belgian selection.

A special thank you to my family, my friends, my advisors, and the people who have been by my side in good times and bad. Finally, a huge thank you to you, my fans, who have followed me all these years and cheered for me wherever I played. Now is the time to enjoy my loved ones and have new experiences. See you soon off the field, friends.”

Many may struggle to adapt to the lifestyle change after retirement, but Hazard insists his family has played a fundamental role. “Your family is what helps you,” Hazard said.

“My life is simple: I stay home and enjoy the simple things with my wife, my children, and my brothers. When you play, you travel constantly, but when you stop, you finally have time for them without stress.

Now my life is pretty simple. I’m a father of five children. Right now, I’m more of a taxi driver than a soccer player, but I don’t mind.”

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