Jose Mourinho spoke with passion and honesty both before and after Tuesday night’s Champions League encounter at St James’ Park.
In his pre-match presser, the Benfica boss talked up Eddie Howe’s Newcastle, the great Sir Bobby Robson, the city’s special connection with our team and explained why he’s yet to be in the hotseat on Tyneside.
After the match and a 3-0 beating, the ‘special one’ hailed Newcastle’s ‘horsepower’, speed, intensity and squad depth, accepting the game got away from his side in the second half after their inability to grab the first goal.
Mourinho named Anthony Gordon as our ‘man of the match’ after his goal, assist and electric display, also picking out our ability to bring on Harvey Barnes as a ‘total luxury’, with the £38m man going on to score twice.
See Jose’s honest and in-depth post-match interview below on how the game played out:
“This tells me about the level of Newcastle. We could not compete with their horsepower. We lost being compact and were exposed. It’s just a case of levels. Their second goal was a killer, psychologically.
“The man-of-the-match was Anthony Gordon. Their wingers have pace and power – and they have four of them”
“The danger they posed for us was obviously from set-pieces and everything indirect in the box, because it is difficult to compete with a team with this physicality, but we had great chances to score, three or four. Before they scored, we had a beautiful shot from Lukebakio that hit the post, so I reiterate that the first-half result doesn’t reflect the game at all.
“There is a team with a higher horsepower engine than the other. A team with much more intensity. A team with much more speed.
“As I said in the [pre-match) press conference, Newcastle have four lightning-fast wingers. They don’t have one or two. They have four! And when you change two who come on in the 50th or 60th minute, when you change one and then later change another, we were exposed as we lost the compact play we had in the first half.
“Harvey Barnes on the bench is luxury. Having Barnes on the bench is total luxury. And then they kill us in transition, in speed, in intensity. We couldn’t cope with that.
“If we score a goal before them, if we reach half-time leading, [even if] we reach half-time tied, we can continue with the same type of organisation…
“The second goal, psychologically, kills us. The players felt the second goal deeply, then the game took a different turn, which was tough for us.”
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Highest Paying Jobs in the UK 2026 (No Degree Required) – Full Hiring Guide
The UK job market in 2026 is creating strong opportunities for workers without university degrees. Due to labor shortages, rising wages, and demand across key industries, many roles now offer competitive salaries, stable contracts, and visa sponsorship options for qualified workers.
This guide focuses on real, in-demand UK jobs that pay well, require little or no formal education, and are suitable for both UK residents and international applicants.
1. HGV (Truck) Driver Jobs in the UK
Heavy Goods Vehicle (HGV) drivers remain among the highest-paid non-degree workers in the UK. Supermarkets, logistics firms, construction companies, and fuel suppliers continue to face driver shortages, pushing wages higher each year.
Salary Range
- £38,000 – £65,000 per year
- Overtime and night shifts can exceed £70,000
Requirements
- UK HGV Class 1 or Class 2 licence
- Driver CPC qualification
- No university degree required
Why This Job Pays Well
Long hours, responsibility, and supply chain importance make HGV driving one of the best-paid manual professions in the UK. Employers often cover training costs.
2. Construction Site Supervisor (Experience-Based)
Construction supervisors oversee daily site operations, safety compliance, and workforce coordination. Many professionals rise into this role through experience rather than formal education.
Salary Range
- £40,000 – £60,000 per year
Requirements
- Construction site experience
- CSCS or SSSTS certification
- No degree required
Construction jobs attract high advertising bids due to insurance, equipment, training, and recruitment demand.
3. Security Control Room Operator
Unlike basic security guard roles, control room operators monitor CCTV systems, coordinate emergency responses, and manage access control for large facilities, airports, and business centers.
Salary Range
- £35,000 – £50,000 per year
Requirements
- SIA licence
- Basic IT and communication skills
- No academic degree required
4. Warehouse Operations Manager (Promotion-Based)
Many warehouse managers start as pickers or supervisors and move up through performance. E-commerce growth has pushed logistics salaries significantly higher.
Salary Range
- £42,000 – £58,000 per year
Industries Hiring
- Amazon fulfilment centres
- Supermarket distribution hubs
- Import and export warehouses
5. Care Home Manager (NVQ Route)
Care home managers oversee elderly and assisted living facilities. This role follows vocational certification routes rather than university education.
Salary Range
- £45,000 – £65,000 per year
Why It Pays Well
An aging population and staff shortages have pushed salaries higher, especially in private care homes.
6. Roofing & Specialist Trades
Roofers, scaffolders, and specialist trade workers earn premium wages due to physical demand and skill shortages.
Salary Range
- £180 – £300 per day
- Annual income up to £70,000
7. Taxi & Private Hire Drivers (High-Demand Cities)
London, Manchester, Birmingham, and Leeds offer strong earning potential for licensed private hire drivers.
Salary Range
- £35,000 – £55,000 per year
Visa Sponsorship for UK Jobs
Some UK employers offer sponsorship under the Skilled Worker visa route. While not all jobs qualify, roles in logistics, healthcare support, construction, and technical operations may be eligible depending on employer approval.
How to Apply for High-Paying UK Jobs
- Apply directly on company career websites
- Register with UK recruitment agencies
- Obtain necessary licences before applying
- Prepare a UK-style CV
In 2026, high-paying jobs in the UK are no longer limited to university graduates. With the right skills, certifications, and experience, workers can secure stable, well-paid roles across logistics, construction, healthcare support, and security sectors.
For job seekers aiming to work in the UK or improve their income, focusing on short-term training and high-demand industries remains the smartest path.
