The Mourinho Thread

[Rom2013 446]

Mourinho is going to be the next Manchester United coach. At the end Mourinho wins again...

Net spending in the last 3 years for Manchester City:

2015/2016 (-95M)

2014/2015 (-55M)

2013/2014 (-73M)

------------------------------

Total (-223)

Net spending in the last 3 years for Manchester United:

2015/2016 (-27M)

2014/2015 (-101M)

2013/2014 (-73M)

------------------------------

Total (-181)

Net spending in the last 3 years for Arsenal:

2015/2016 (-10M)

2014/2015 (-62M)

2013/2014 (-28M)

------------------------------

Total (-100)

Net spending in the last 3 years for Chelsea:

2015/2016 (-21M)

2014/2015 (+6M)

2013/2014 (-37M)

------------------------------

Total (-52)

Yes, Mourinho spent 4 times less money than Manchester City and Manchester United in the last 3 years. Now Mourinho will have money to spend, will coach the second or third richest club in the world, will have a decent stadium...

When do you think CHelsea will win a big title again?

[zolayes 14,489]

well enjoy supporting Manure ,,, Rom

[ulsterchelsea 3,221]

are you on dial up? Or has the carrier pigeon just landed

no I just try to stay clear of here but occasionally I drink so much that I stumble on to comment about the latest pantomime to happen to this wonderful club.

[robsblubot 3,502]

Do not care much for Mourinho as a manager and yet feel the sacking could've been avoided by the club somehow - getting the players to get their shit together, professionally for example. And believe this empowers the players way too much... every sacking does esp in these circumstances.

Now, it doesn't matter anymore does it? Whether he manages United or not.

I am really for that change promised some time ago, which was something Jose has always been incapable of proving. The prob is that the tampon manager is also certainly not able to provide, esp considering his late performances, so it is going to take a while.

[Styles 9,790]

Great piece in The Times:

The European champion of trumpet-blowing is all played out

Self-centred Mourinho piled too much pressure on himself and his players, leading to a spectacular implosion
David Walsh Chief Sports Writer Published: 20 December 2015

Mourinho’s high-pressure methods and ruthless pragmatism wore his players out (REX)
THERE was a part of Jose Mourinho that for a time I did not get. It goes back to that first press conference on his first west London experience. “I have top players and I’m sorry, we have a top manager. Please do not call me arrogant because what I say is true. I’m European champion. I think I’m the special one.”

It was not a comic turn. He was serious. Respect me, please. Understand how good I am. No one doubted it. His record with Porto over three seasons was two league titles, a Champions League, a Uefa Cup and a domestic cup. So why the trumpet-blowing? Who ever heard a football manager call himself European champion? Still, he was witty and handsome, intelligent and charismatic, and very good at what he did, so we indulged him.

It was easy to see what he brought. Principally, a winning mentality. He also had a relentless work ethic and a sharp footballing brain. Opponents were not so much analysed as dissected.

He was fortunate to have characters such as John Terry, Frank Lampard and Didier Drogba. Lampard was his perfect player, physically resilient and tough enough to deal with Mourinho’s expectation. Those three might have been Chelsea’s backbone but Mourinho was the story. People said it was his way of taking the pressure off his players but the limelight was his natural habitat, his addiction.

Last week he will have cleared his office at the training centre in Cobham. One box would not have been enough, for it was not so much an office as a shrine, endless framed photos portraying great moments from the career of an exceptional football manager. Porto, Chelsea, Inter, Real; so many titles, so much material. A shrine to Jose erected by Jose. Why the need?

Not long ago I was in the office of the chief executive of a FTSE 100 company in London. On one wall there were rows of photos of staff members. There was not one photograph of the chief executive. He built a shrine to the people he worked with.

Jose wanted visitors to his office to know they were in the company of a European champion, a man who has won leagues in four countries. The same insecurity underpinned his antagonism towards Arsène Wenger. That Arsenal’s manager was respected and liked bothered Mourinho, who called him “a specialist in failure”.

He was equally scathing about Pep Guardiola, whose career has not featured much failure. So the attack was different. Anyone could win if they had Messi in their team. Thus, Guardiola’s Barcelona years were dismissed. As for Bayern Munich, they are so much better than everyone else in Germany it did not matter who managed them.

Mourinho always felt he had to win. Not for his club’s sake, not for his players but for him. And when the team stopped winning this season, he became unhinged. He blamed referees, the FA, pundits, Leicester’s ball boys, his own players. Especially his own players.

Chelsea’s training ground would have been a tough place to work through the past four months. He once said pressure was bird flu, not things that happened in football. This may have been the greatest of his fibs. No manager put more pressure on himself to deliver results and no manager transferred that pressure on to his players as intensely as Mourinho did.

Demba Ba alluded to this in a radio interview last week. He said working with Mourinho was exhausting, the pressure to perform was unrelenting and unforgiving. If a player lost confidence, Ba said, he was wasting his time thinking Mourinho might help. Ba was there during relatively good times.

This season was different. When the team lost games, the expectation was that Mourinho would turn things round. The players felt that pressure, and some were suffocated by the demands. For many of them, it just became too much.

After last week’s loss to Leicester, knowing the game was up, Mourinho became like Jack Nicholson in A Few Good Men: “You want answers? You want answers? You can’t handle the truth.”

“I feel my work is betrayed,” he said of his players’ failure to prevent the two goals that won the match for Leicester.

Adversity, they say, introduces a man to his inner self. Jose got in touch. “Sometimes I find myself thinking last season I did an amazing job. I brought players to a level that is not their level.” And that was it, back to where he started, still not knowing the place. The Self-Proclaimed Special One.

[Ossie the King 634]

Mourinho is going to be the next Manchester United coach. At the end Mourinho wins again...

Net spending in the last 3 years for Manchester City:

2015/2016 (-95M)

2014/2015 (-55M)

2013/2014 (-73M)

------------------------------

Total (-223)

Net spending in the last 3 years for Manchester United:

2015/2016 (-27M)

2014/2015 (-101M)

2013/2014 (-73M)

------------------------------

Total (-181)

Net spending in the last 3 years for Arsenal:

2015/2016 (-10M)

2014/2015 (-62M)

2013/2014 (-28M)

------------------------------

Total (-100)

Net spending in the last 3 years for Chelsea:

2015/2016 (-21M)

2014/2015 (+6M)

2013/2014 (-37M)

------------------------------

Total (-52)

Yes, Mourinho spent 4 times less money than Manchester City and Manchester United in the last 3 years. Now Mourinho will have money to spend, will coach the second or third richest club in the world, will have a decent stadium...

When do you think CHelsea will win a big title again?

That all points to the the level of ambition the board has and their commitment to Jose as manager.

If United get him, they'll back him financially and they won't sell a player against his wishes to one of their rivals. United and City are primed to dominate the league over the next 5 years and we've got fans who are worried that Simeone (the best available choice for manager) might be a bit too defensive or abrasive.

Couldn't make it up.

[Henrique 9,133]

"A shrine to Jose erected by Jose."

Typical Jose. That article is perfect. I always saw Mourinho as a man with a insecurity personality, and thats the main reason why he is a ultra defensive coach. More important the game is, more afraid of losing he is, more defensive his teams become.

[Weckerz 3,781]

When do you think CHelsea will win a big title again?

Could be a while. The best manager in the world got us 15 points in 16 games. Takes it's toll

[Belgiannutt 3,201]

Yes, Mourinho spent 4 times less money than Manchester City and Manchester United in the last 3 years. Now Mourinho will have money to spend, will coach the second or third richest club in the world, will have a decent stadium...

When do you think CHelsea will win a big title again?

Net spending doesn't tell the whole story though.

Pedro 27 million

Rahman 20 million

Begovic 11 million

Costa 38 million

Fabregas 33 million

Cuadrado 31 million

Luis 20 million

Remy 13,2 million

Willian 35.5 million

Matic 25 million

Schurrle 22 million

Salah 16.5 million

Zouma 14.6 million

That's 13 players and a combined investment of 306.8 million euros over 5 transferwindows.

Our net spend is so low because we had a number of talented, high value players at the club that didn't fit Mourinho's system.(Mata, De Bruyne, Luiz, Lukaku)

So we sold them to buy players that did fit his system.

[Ossie the King 634]

Could be a while. The best manager in the world got us 15 points in 16 games. Takes it's toll

To be fair he won us the title last year. Give the guy some respect perhaps?

[Fernando 6,453]

Net spending doesn't tell the whole story though.

Pedro 27 million

Rahman 20 million

Begovic 11 million

Costa 38 million

Fabregas 33 million

Cuadrado 31 million

Luis 20 million

Remy 13,2 million

Willian 35.5 million

Matic 25 million

Schurrle 22 million

Salah 16.5 million

Zouma 14.6 million

That's 13 players and a combined investment of 306.8 million euros over 5 transferwindows.

Our net spend is so low because we had a number of talented, high value players at the club that didn't fit Mourinho's system.(Mata, De Bruyne, Luiz, Lukaku)

So we sold them to buy players that did fit his system.

Another good point that people fail to realize.

I mean if it was that easy why he didn't do it this summer?

Because there was no more assets to sell!

[Ossie the King 634]

Net spending doesn't tell the whole story though.

Pedro 27 million

Rahman 20 million

Begovic 11 million

Costa 38 million

Fabregas 33 million

Cuadrado 31 million

Luis 20 million

Remy 13,2 million

Willian 35.5 million

Matic 25 million

Schurrle 22 million

Salah 16.5 million

Zouma 14.6 million

That's 13 players and a combined investment of 306.8 million euros over 5 transferwindows.

Our net spend is so low because we had a number of talented, high value players at the club that didn't fit Mourinho's system.(Mata, De Bruyne, Luiz, Lukaku)

So we sold them to buy players that did fit his system.

.

It tells the story of how much money the club spent, net.

This past summer, city spent three times as much as us net and that is including the sale of Cech to a direct rival against the wishes of the manager.

The board both undermined and failed in their duties to acquire the targets wanted by the boss. They didn't set out to sabotage him but their ineptitude had the same outcome as if they had.

Just imagine if the board had the ambition of City's.

[Pizy 18,368]

Seems inevitable now. Going to be gutting seeing him introduced there and all the media slobbering him.

Going to be even more gutting seeing him actually sign every target he wanted here but couldn't get. It's 100% nailed on that John Stones will be a Man United player next summer. Wouldn't be surprised if they get Pogba back either. One of Bale or CR7 eventually as well.

What stings the most is him saying for years how much he loves Chelsea and is "one of us," yet he's going to go and manage another English club. Surely if that were true he wouldn't do so? I realize he's gotta be royally pissed about getting sacked again but it's like a dagger in the hearts of every Chelsea fan.

It's pretty disheartening, I have to be honest. Makes me kinda hate football right now. Our greatest ever manager and one of my favorite football people probably second only to Drogba and he's going to be managing Manchester fucking United. Makes me sick.

[Ossie the King 634]

Seems inevitable now. Going to be gutting seeing him introduced there and all the media slobbering him.

Going to be even more gutting seeing him actually sign every target he wanted here but couldn't get. It's 100% nailed on that John Stones will be a Man United player next summer. Wouldn't be surprised if they get Pogba back either. One of Bale or CR7 eventually as well.

What stings the most is him saying for years how much he loves Chelsea and is "one of us," yet he's going to go and manage another English club. Surely if that were true he wouldn't do so? I realize he's gotta be royally pissed about getting sacked again but it's like a dagger in the hearts of every Chelsea fan.

It's pretty disheartening, I have to be honest. Makes me kinda hate football right now. Our greatest ever manager and my favorite football person second only to Drogba and he's going to be managing Manchester fucking United. Makes me sick.

We sacked him though. Can't very well expect him to sign on or just slope off into retirement at such a young age. United will give him a chance to prove his doubters wrong and the thing is that the people who wanted him gone will probably be the first to moan.

Truth is they're probably bricking it because they know he'll make United stronger.

[Pizy 18,368]

We sacked him though. Can't very well expect him to sign on or just slope off into retirement at such a young age. United will give him a chance to prove his doubters wrong and the thing is that the people who wanted him gone will probably be the first to moan.

Truth is they're probably bricking it because they know he'll make United stronger.

I know, and that's why I can't hate him for taking the opportunity. Just hoped he'd maybe go back to Real Madrid.

Also kind of lends credence to the reports that he has always coveted that job. I honestly wouldn't be surprised if he was relieved a bit to get out of here. He seems desperate to go there.

[bellion 170]

Couldn't give a fig where Mourinho goes to after his dismissal.

For those still hankering for him, I suggest you should follow whichever new club he goes to be it Man Utd or some other club.

[nullabletype 987]

Your whole point builds on simply believing that the players played badly on purpose, though. For which, as it currently stands, nobody has proof. We're talking about human beings who have shown and proven their integrity to their job for years, some of which we have seen playing weekly.

And that's where some people see resemblances to a cult. If you think the players quit on Mourinho it's your choice. But that choice is an emotional one rather than a rational one based on facts and proof.

Believing? Eh, no...

The second half of last season we weren't playing "good" football. We mostly won by one goal margins and crawled over the finish line. None the less, this is when harmony reigned and, for all his supposed horrible tactics, José was in charge of a team who were winning consistently and winning happy.

This season starts and here comes Mourinho with his horrible tactics again except hold on, this time the tactics aren't just horrible, but the players look totally disinterested too -- wonder why? And that's where I think you get it completely wrong. The blame keeps coming back to the manager -- and a good proportion of it is probably well deserved. The finger is pointed at him because his tactics shackled our players' creative output. Simply, that doesn't hold up because the approach is the same as last season, the only difference now however is the "palpable discord". The shackles were well and truly on then as well. Still, it didn't matter because the quality and grit shown by this team is what got us over the line again and again.

Here in lies the point. Were the tactics stale? Possibly. Were the tactics too cautious? Probably. Regardless, this squad with the talent it houses should still have been able to meet a minimum standard which would easily see us in the top half of the table. No ifs or buts.

A blind man on a galloping horse could see when they have and haven't turned up this season. So by all means liken us to cultists, but it doesn't serve your argument.

Edit: just as a note, even JT has said the quality wasn't there and claimed that if it was feasible for the club to dump a heap of players, they probably would have. Tells you all you need to know really. Still, cult of Mourinho and all that.

[The Chels 2,502]

Seems inevitable now. Going to be gutting seeing him introduced there and all the media slobbering him.

Going to be even more gutting seeing him actually sign every target he wanted here but couldn't get. It's 100% nailed on that John Stones will be a Man United player next summer. Wouldn't be surprised if they get Pogba back either. One of Bale or CR7 eventually as well.

What stings the most is him saying for years how much he loves Chelsea and is "one of us," yet he's going to go and manage another English club. Surely if that were true he wouldn't do so? I realize he's gotta be royally pissed about getting sacked again but it's like a dagger in the hearts of every Chelsea fan.

It's pretty disheartening, I have to be honest. Makes me kinda hate football right now. Our greatest ever manager and one of my favorite football people probably second only to Drogba and he's going to be managing Manchester fucking United. Makes me sick.

Yep, it does seem increasingly inevitable. I understand that he'll want to please his (soon-to-be) new fanbase and that he may resent his treatment from some of the Chelsea players/board, but I do hope while he's there he shows some respect to the Chelsea fans (matchgoing ones, especially) who gave him an unprecedented amount of support. 'The biggest club in England', 'where I always wanted to be', 'the best stadium and atmosphere...' bla bla bla would be pretty insensitive albeit unsurprising.