The 42-year-old coach completed his physical education degree at Lisbon's sporting university in 1987 however he never picked up the diploma, saying he was too busy.

But on Wednesday a representative of the school surprised Mourinho at Chelsea's training grounds in London and personally delivered the diploma.

"I thought it was lost. It is a special feeling to receive a diploma almost twenty years later," a beaming Mourinho told Portuguese television station SIC.

"I am very pleased. I have received many trophies in in the last few years of my career as a coach but none with this significance."

Mourinho, who abandoned his career as a reserve team midfielder to study physical education, has frequently credited his higher education for his success as a coach.

"I have said this before, and I never get tired of saying it. A person who only knows football will never be a great coach," he said.

"A great coach is always someone who understands as much about football as about other areas. School is where you get that."

Mourinho joined Chelsea in June 2004 after leading Portuguese side FC Porto to the domestic league and European Champions title.

Chelsea lead with 61 points, eight points ahead of Manchester United. The team can lose three of its remaining 14 games and still win its first league title in 50 years.