By David Bolt on Dec 20, 2018 at 2:49 PM
  1. David Bolt

    David Bolt Member

    May 30, 2008
    Liverpool
    Club:
    Liverpool FC
    Nat'l Team:
    Wales

    Is Jose Mourinho Finished in English Football?

    By David Bolt on Dec 20, 2018 at 2:49 PM
    [​IMG]

    It can’t be overstated just how much Jose Mourinho was revered here in England. He was a breath of fresh air when he came. He was a young, brash, dynamic coach who came to the UK tooting his own horn, and then proceeded to back it all up with success on the pitch.

    Chelsea fans adored him and most other fans would grudgingly recognise his brilliance, while wishing their club had him, or at least a coach just like him.

    For years, Mourinho was so highly thought of that coaches and managers showing promise or doing a good job somewhere weren’t just compared to him, they were named after him. For example, when Sean Dyche got an unlikely promotion with Burnley five years ago, he got the nickname ‘the Ginger Mourinho’.

    Nobody thought that was weird. Mourinho was the benchmark for all managers. He was the gold standard. He was synonymous with success, so it naturally followed that any other coach that had a bit of success must have had a bit of Mourinho about him.

    And, it always seemed that Mourinho loved English football as much as it loved him.

    But not anymore. Mourinho was fired by Manchester United on Tuesday following a tumultuous time. On both occasions he was fired by Chelsea, it seemed obvious he’d be back in English football. But today, the opposite seems true. It seems that English football may be finished with Mourinho.

    Jose Mourinho and Manchester United seemed like a match made in heaven. Mourinho had apparently been desperate to succeed Sir Alex Ferguson, and, according to Diego Torres in his book, was devastated when Manchester United chose David Moyes ahead of him.

    Following Moyes and Louis van Gaal’s time in charge that failed to restore Manchester United as the foremost club in England, and Mourinho’s availability after being fired by Chelsea, it was finally Mourinho’s time.

    In some ways he’s fulfilled his brief. He did win trophies during his time as United manager, winning the league cup and Europa League in his first season. He did get Manchester United back into the top four, finishing second last season, albeit 19 points behind champions Manchester City.

    But in many other ways his time in charge has been a dismal failure. And it’s shattered a lot of the mythos that Mourinho has built up around himself.

    Manchester United knew what they were signing up for when they got Mourinho. Mourinho’s reputation went before him. He’s a disruptor; he’ll blaze into a club like a whirlwind, cause chaos, bring success and then the wheels will come off.

    United knew that they would have to bend to his whims, to back him in the transfer market with millions and to put up with all the negative baggage that comes with him, but they did all that with the knowledge that while it would likely be a bumpy ride, he would likely bring them success.

    But, what United had either failed to see or turned a blind eye to, was that somewhere along the way Mourinho had changed, and not for the better.

    When he first came to the UK, Mourinho’s teams reflected the man himself. They were cocky, swaggering sides, that went onto the pitch with an aura of invincibility. They were teams that knew they could beat anyone.

    But as the years have gone on, Mourinho has changed, and his teams reflect the new side to his personality. Mourinho’s own identity seems to be tied up with his reputation as a winner to the point where he is now afraid to lose. And that’s how his teams play. They play afraid.

    Mourinho’s reputation as a tactician has been shot down, because all he does now is sets his teams up not to lose and to hope the opposition make a mistake. That’s just not good enough for a team like Manchester United, who were known for playing on the front foot.

    Even when his Manchester United team was winning games, they were doing so playing such turgid, joyless football that nobody, Mourinho included, could take any sort of pleasure from it.

    His reputation as someone who can build a team has been shot down. For all his many, many complaints about not backed in the transfer market by Manchester United, the facts don’t bear this out. According to transfermarkt Mourinho spent nearly £420m in his time in charge. And United don’t have a great deal to show for that. Several of his signings have washed out already, some of the others had fallen completely out of favour and several others have been huge disappointments. The new manager will have to spend to rebuild that team again.

    His reputation as a coach has been shattered. Barely any Manchester United players improved while he was there. Most have gone the other way, regressing or failing to produce while he’s been there, only to blossom once they’ve got away from him.

    Paul Pogba is a perfect example. He’s one of the best midfielders in the world; but has looked a shadow of himself while playing for United. However, at the World Cup, and away from Mourinho, he flourished and was superb. Similarly, Mourinho failed to get the best out of the very talented Anthony Martial, Marcus Rashford and Luke Shaw.

    Mourinho’s reputation as a motivator has been obliterated by his time at United. He calls his players out in public all the time. He doesn’t so much throw his players under the bus, as throw them in the road and then drives over them with the bus. He pretty much gave up on the season before it started because he didn’t believe that United had signed the players he wanted, not only being resigned to finishing behind Manchester City again, but also Liverpool, who United had finished ahead of last season.

    Mourinho’s departure also reflects badly on Manchester United. The comparison with Liverpool in the early 90s seems to be a good one. Like Liverpool, Manchester United had gotten complacent during a period of sustained success and are floundering to get to grips with a game that’s left them behind.

    It seems clear that the club is still struggling to get to grips with life Post Sir Alex Ferguson. They still seem stuck in the past and unaware that the game has moved on around them. They still don’t have a sporting director, who would be responsible for overseeing the vision of the club (maybe they don’t even have one of those), and would make it that the club wouldn’t live and die by the person who oversees the team.

    Today it was announced that former player Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will take charge in an interim role for the rest of the season. This suggests that Manchester United know who they want to be their next manager, and that person isn’t available now, with reports saying that Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino is the man they want.

    As for Mourinho, It’s difficult to see any other English team being prepared to take him on. I’d be shocked if Mourinho would be willing to change his M.O. and would go to any club where he wasn’t given a lot of money, and I don’t think that any of the English clubs that could afford to keep Mourinho happy would want him. After all, if you’re no longer guaranteed success with Mourinho, why would you want to take on his baggage?
     

Comments

Discussion in 'Premier League' started by David Bolt, Dec 20, 2018.

    1. mschofield

      mschofield Member+

      May 16, 2000
      Berlin
      Club:
      Union Berlin
      Nat'l Team:
      Germany

      Is Jose Mourinho Finished in English Football?

      By David Bolt on Dec 20, 2018 at 2:49 PM
      Even if other English teams were interested, there's a very small list of clubs he would consider. The clubs being tossed about now are Bmunch, Inter and RMad. I don't quite see Watford or West Ham being in that conversation.
      So, as far as England is concerned, Chelsea is out. ManU is out. Beyond that, right now there's city. If Arsenal wanted to return to their old image, and he could muster his old self, maybe. He's a horrible fit, even at his best, for what they have become. So really, the only possible destination would be City and City has a manager. The real conversation here is if Pep spontaneously combusted, might CFG give Mou a call? He'd make the bookies list, but he'd be a longshot.
       
    2. RalleeMonkey

      RalleeMonkey Member+

      Aug 30, 2004
      here

      Is Jose Mourinho Finished in English Football?

      By David Bolt on Dec 20, 2018 at 2:49 PM
      Jose is like a bi-polar person that was in a manic phase for about 4-5 years and has been in the opposite-of-manic phase for about 4-5 years. From life of the party to beyond-buzzkill, borderline self-destructive.
       
      Unak78 repped this.
    3. phat

      phat Viking

      Feb 13, 2006
      Montreal
      Club:
      Juventus FC
      Nat'l Team:
      Italy
      #4 phat, Dec 23, 2018
      Last edited: Dec 23, 2018

      Is Jose Mourinho Finished in English Football?

      By David Bolt on Dec 20, 2018 at 2:49 PM
      I think he's pretty much finished. I see him going to PSG and maybe having some success because the league is so weak and he could focus on the CL. They have the money to afford his spending.

      It would be similar to his time at Inter with a weakened Juve and Milan and a desperate owner with deep pockets he was able to win the treble.

      Bayern Munich probably wouldn't be so welcoming.
       
      The Irish Rover repped this.
    4. RMAmethyst

      RMAmethyst New Member

      Dec 26, 2018

      Is Jose Mourinho Finished in English Football?

      By David Bolt on Dec 20, 2018 at 2:49 PM
      I think he should be humble at this moment and trying a minor job with easy goals to improve his self confidence that probably is not that good right now, then he could reflect about what he is doing wrong.
       
      Redbullsnation2012 repped this.
    5. Celtic & Napule

      Celtic & Napule New Member

      Celtic & Napule
      Nigeria
      Jan 5, 2019
      IRA

      Is Jose Mourinho Finished in English Football?

      By David Bolt on Dec 20, 2018 at 2:49 PM
      José will go back to Manchester Celtic, or Everton Celtic.
       
    6. speakitout

      speakitout New Member

      Manchester United
      England
      Jan 16, 2019

      Is Jose Mourinho Finished in English Football?

      By David Bolt on Dec 20, 2018 at 2:49 PM
      After the journey of Chelsea and ManUtd, Mourinho shouldn't be teaching in England for at least a short while
       
    7. footy14wiz

      footy14wiz Member

      Nov 13, 2018

      Is Jose Mourinho Finished in English Football?

      By David Bolt on Dec 20, 2018 at 2:49 PM
      Not quite, but his next job is certainly somewhere out of England. I have a feeling that he is going to end up in Italy, next.
       
    8. shnaggletooth

      shnaggletooth Member+

      Jun 23, 2002

      Is Jose Mourinho Finished in English Football?

      By David Bolt on Dec 20, 2018 at 2:49 PM
      If I were a player, I would never want to have Mourinho as my manager. All he does is play mind games with his own players -- the worst possible thing any player can endure. Free from this corrosive manager constantly trying to "get inside" their heads as an inner critic, no wonder United is doing so well.
       
      Redbullsnation2012 repped this.
    9. AEAAFC96

      AEAAFC96 Member+

      Mar 27, 2006
      NYC
      Club:
      Arsenal FC
      Nat'l Team:
      United States

      Is Jose Mourinho Finished in English Football?

      By David Bolt on Dec 20, 2018 at 2:49 PM
      Jose needs to go to a club where he's bigger than the club. Whether it was United, Chelsea the 2nd time around or Real, he tried that attitude and it bit back badly.

      It's like he needs to do a Cloughie, go to an unfashionable club where he's the biggest name there. Where the players have achieved but know that's their ceiling.

      Like at Porto, yes they perennially won the league but in Europe they were substandard. Mourinho comes in: wins the UEFA Cup and the CL in successive seasons with almost the same group of players.
       
    10. EvanJ

      EvanJ Member+

      Manchester United
      United States
      Mar 30, 2004
      Club:
      Manchester United FC
      Nat'l Team:
      United States

      Is Jose Mourinho Finished in English Football?

      By David Bolt on Dec 20, 2018 at 2:49 PM
      Do you want him to do something like Benitez at Newcastle?
       
    11. AEAAFC96

      AEAAFC96 Member+

      Mar 27, 2006
      NYC
      Club:
      Arsenal FC
      Nat'l Team:
      United States

      Is Jose Mourinho Finished in English Football?

      By David Bolt on Dec 20, 2018 at 2:49 PM
      Yeah, somewhere like a Newcastle but would have Leicester-like backing. Yes there's money to spend but not £60 million on one CB. He'd have to get creative and then mould the player to what he wants.
       
      Redbullsnation2012 repped this.
    12. David Reider

      David Reider New Member

      Southampton FC
      United States
      Apr 6, 2019

      Is Jose Mourinho Finished in English Football?

      By David Bolt on Dec 20, 2018 at 2:49 PM
      I think Mourinho will try and make a return to Italy, where he has success before and his style is more fit for the league. Rebuild a team and beat Juventus a couple times then return to England if he wishes.
       
    13. Redbullsnation2012

      May 26, 2010
      Club:
      Manchester United FC

      Is Jose Mourinho Finished in English Football?

      By David Bolt on Dec 20, 2018 at 2:49 PM
      I think Mou should go to Germany. He would fit right in with some of the more tactical coaches over there...
       
    14. SF19

      SF19 Member+

      Jun 8, 2013

      Is Jose Mourinho Finished in English Football?

      By David Bolt on Dec 20, 2018 at 2:49 PM
      Mourinho still considers himself a top manager, but he has lost some of his glamour and is no longer as in demand as he was between 2004-2010. Given his standing in the game, even if it has diminished somewhat, it's reasonable to suggest he can and will want to take on a big club or a club with big enough ambitions to match his desire for trophies. Anything less he may interpret as beneath him, something he's still within his right to believe.

      Newcastle, who are subject to a United Arab Emirates takeover bid, might offer Mourinho a chance should Benitez leave for China. Chelsea may too, but I think Lampard will get the job and he should be able to continue for the foreseeable future. It's hard to imagine any other clubs vying at the highest levels of English football offering Mourinho a further opportunity.

      The trouble with Mourinho is that his football tends to be dour. At Inter Milan, a club famed for its catenaccio style under Helenio Herrera in the 60s, Mourinho's tactical approach was celebrated. In England, there is an expectation to be gung-ho, to play constantly end-to-end and to score goals galore. Moreover, the fact that he's an egotist and that he arouses unpleasant conflicts, sometimes very ugly ones, has put people off. I can't say those traits are always a problem, they serve him well at times, but there are other times where he genuinely crosses the line. For someone of his experience and age he should know better, but Mourinho has a tendency to fall into these traps that he sets up for himself.

      Whatever the future may hold for him, I have great respect for his accomplishments and I would like to see him continue at the highest levels. He's excellent manager who can take a side and make them contenders on any front, but his personality and approach isn't for everyone.
       
    15. nateboussad

      nateboussad New Member

      liverpool
      England
      Jan 7, 2019

      Is Jose Mourinho Finished in English Football?

      By David Bolt on Dec 20, 2018 at 2:49 PM
      He was finished when he leaved chelsea..
       
    16. Jazlizard

      Jazlizard New Member

      Jan 5, 2011

      Is Jose Mourinho Finished in English Football?

      By David Bolt on Dec 20, 2018 at 2:49 PM
      I just thought I might bring this thread up for no particular reason. :D
       
    17. RalleeMonkey

      RalleeMonkey Member+

      Aug 30, 2004
      here

      Is Jose Mourinho Finished in English Football?

      By David Bolt on Dec 20, 2018 at 2:49 PM
      We'll see how this plays out.
       
    18. Lacosta

      Lacosta Member

      Barcelona
      Spain
      Feb 26, 2020
      In The Galactic

      Is Jose Mourinho Finished in English Football?

      By David Bolt on Dec 20, 2018 at 2:49 PM
      He is finished as a coach not only in England but everywhere. From long time.
       
    19. Walia Ibex

      Walia Ibex Red Card

      Arsenal
      Ethiopia
      Oct 2, 2019

      Is Jose Mourinho Finished in English Football?

      By David Bolt on Dec 20, 2018 at 2:49 PM
      I see his last act coaching the Portuguese NT..whether he is successful is another thing. He is a brilliant analyst and footballing mind no doubt about that.
       
    20. Goalgoalabc

      Goalgoalabc Member

      Manchester United
      England
      May 13, 2020

      Is Jose Mourinho Finished in English Football?

      By David Bolt on Dec 20, 2018 at 2:49 PM
      no way, he still get many chance to return. As you seen he is now the manager of Tottenham Hotspur
       
    21. Lacosta

      Lacosta Member

      Barcelona
      Spain
      Feb 26, 2020
      In The Galactic

      Is Jose Mourinho Finished in English Football?

      By David Bolt on Dec 20, 2018 at 2:49 PM
      Yes, he is coach of the Spurs, but they are at the 8-th place in the EPL and out of the European tournaments. But that does not mean he won't get another English team next season. Newcastle Qatari prince/owner is very keen on him.
       
    22. SF19

      SF19 Member+

      Jun 8, 2013

      Is Jose Mourinho Finished in English Football?

      By David Bolt on Dec 20, 2018 at 2:49 PM
      Newcastle will try to bring Benitez back first, but Mourinho is definitely among their choices.
       
      Lacosta repped this.
    23. Lacosta

      Lacosta Member

      Barcelona
      Spain
      Feb 26, 2020
      In The Galactic

      Is Jose Mourinho Finished in English Football?

      By David Bolt on Dec 20, 2018 at 2:49 PM
      Yapp. Benitez is another option,same as A.Wenger, but Mourinho has bigger name and is very likely Newcastle may choose him as the next coach.
       
    24. Ursel Foster

      Ursel Foster New Member

      Chelsea
      England
      Jul 22, 2020

      Is Jose Mourinho Finished in English Football?

      By David Bolt on Dec 20, 2018 at 2:49 PM
      for some reason, I think he's going back to Chelsea again.
       

Share This Page