Mario Rosenstock appeared as Mario Rosenstock (for the most part) on Off the Ball's Sunday Paper Review today.
He regaled listeners with the tale of his charming and delightful and borderline romantic evening with Jose Mourinho during the manager's first spell at Chelsea.
We can't confirm whether Mourinho was an avid listener to Gift Grub, but, either way, word of Rosenstock's impersonation had reached him. He was deeply impressed and brought Rosenstock over to perform for the Chelsea team.
Back in 2005, only a smattering of them spoke good English and Rosenstock felt his gig was flat.
But Mourinho was an ardent admirer and after ordering the players to bed at 9.30 ('they all scarpered like Van Trapp's children') he enjoyed a bottle of wine with Rosenstock.
Jose asked him to do Mick McCarthy. When Rosenstock dutifully delivered his McCarthy voice, Mourinho reacted with childish excitement. Mourinho brought matters around to the Irish national team.
Brian Kerr had just been discarded and Mourinho preceded to ask Rosenstock who he wanted for Ireland manager. Rosenstock suggested Mourinho himself. Would he do it.
The answer came back 'No. Maybe later...' Mourinho then proffered his favoured candidate. It was not Steve Staunton.
I think you should get Roy Keane. Because he is invincible.
And then he had the ingenious idea of ringing Damien Duff.
He gave me his phone. He said, 'Do this. Do this.' I went 'What, What, What?' And he went, 'Play trick on Damien. Play trick.' He went yeah, 'Damien is injured. He's away. He's having rehabilitation. So play on him now. You ring him and use my phone and play funny game. Do it.
Rosenstock preceded to ring Duffer. The name 'Gaffer' cropped up on the phone.
- We have a problem for tomorrow. I need you play tomorrow. I need you to play. Makele is injured. And Drogba is gone too. I need you to play tomorrow.
- Gaffer, what are you talking about? Me leg is bust!
- Damien, shut up. I need you to play tomorrow or I sell you for £1.5 million to Walsall.
Rosenstock admitted skipping out of the place with girlish delight, his 'man-crush' entirely intact.
Listen to the interview below: Duff story occurs about 45 minutes in.
