For puck’s sake: Jose Mourinho takes a tumble at ice hockey game

Former Manchester United manager was taking part in ceremonial start in Russia

Former Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho  falls as he drops the puck to start a Kontinental Hockey League match between Avangard Omsk and SKA Saint Petersburg in Balashikha outside Moscow. Photograph: AFP/Getty Images
Former Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho falls as he drops the puck to start a Kontinental Hockey League match between Avangard Omsk and SKA Saint Petersburg in Balashikha outside Moscow. Photograph: AFP/Getty Images

Former Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho took a nasty tumble at an ice hockey game outside Moscow on Monday, performing a ceremonial puck drop that drew gasps and laughs.

Mourinho, who was sacked by United in December, made the first puck drop of the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) game between Avangard Omsk and SKA Petersburg, two of the league’s best teams, at an arena in Balashikha.

Yet as he walked off the ice to the theme song of the Rocky movie series, Mourinho tripped on a red carpet and fell backwards, sparking gasps from the crowd.

Jose Mourinho  is helped up from his fall by SKA Petersburg captain Pavel Datsyuk. Photograph: AFP/Getty Images
Jose Mourinho is helped up from his fall by SKA Petersburg captain Pavel Datsyuk. Photograph: AFP/Getty Images

He was helped up by SKA captain Pavel Datsyuk, a Russian national team player and twice Stanley Cup winner with the Detroit Red Wings in North America's National Hockey League (NHL).

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Avangard Omsk wrote on their Instagram page that Mourinho, 56, had not sustained any injuries in the fall.

“Everything is fine with the coach,” the team said. “He is already back on the plane.”