Football is about love and hate, success and failure, goals and misses. We see things in one dimension and there is little grey. Such an approach does not help us to assess Mourinho. We need some grey, some flexibility, and some give and take. So let me start at the beginning and say I loathe him – can’t stand him – dislike his whole persona and to give me a little credit let me say I do not feel like that about any other coach.
I have no anti-feelings towards Pep, Koeman, Pottechino. I may not warmly embrace Hughes and Pardew and Pulis but that is just because they have had digs at Wenger over the years – Allardyce as well. They are all professionals doing a difficult job. They are under constant pressure but good luck to them all including Big Sam and Ferguson as well. At the death there is passion, aggravation, tension and things can get out of hand but it happens and it passes.
Another point – it is not the touchline antics much as I dislike them. Mourinho was one of the first to prance up and down line and he has been followed by Klopp, Conte and others. It is an aspect of modern day football that we can do without but I accept Klopp and Conte and cannot apply a different standard to Mourinho.
Four points stand out in my mind. First is the glorying in the title of ‘The Special One’. I do not think for a moment that it is tongue in cheek. Mourinho has cultivated it and the UK media has indulged him. The media became entranced by Mourinho and worshipped, initially, at his feet.
Cech injury at Reading
Secondly, the incident with the Reading Ambulance Service when Mourinho looked for a scapegoat for the injury to Cech at Reading. The St Johns people and the ambulance people do a tremendous job. They help to keep football safe and never seek the limelight or reward and here is Mourinho trying to blame the Service alleging delay on their part contributed to Cech’s injury. An inquiry into the allegation was carried out and the Reading Ambulance Service were exonerated. Mourinho was silent
Third – he was banned from the dressing room for misbehaviour on the touchline in a UEFA competition and breached the ban by being wheeled into the dressing room in the kit trolley to acclaim and applause from the media.
Fourthly I cannot forgiev his conduct with Dr Carneiro. You all know the incident and his behaviour. It was a shame that she accepted undisclosed damages to settle her claim for constructive dismissal after the doctor came onto the pitch to treat Hazard at the instruction of referee Micael Oliver. Her prior refusal to accept escalating offers made it inevitable that Mourinho would have been cross-examined at the Industrial Tribunal hearing. That would have been quite revealing. She then accepted the money and Mourinho escaped what would have been a public humiliation.
An incredible selection of authentic Arsenal shirts at amazing prices!So Mourinho is bad news. That is not to deny his talents. He has won many titles in different countries – he has ability – he is a shrewd tactician. Putting together the original Chelsea back four including Cole and Calvalho was a substantial achievement. And of course despite three defeats on the trot he might bounce back. Talent will out and he is talent but the negatives in terms of character and example should relegate him to the bottom of the table. Ethics and behaviour and knowing the difference between right and wrong do matter in life and in football. Most managers know this. Mourinho doesn’t. The game would be better without him.
My name is Graham Perry and I have been a lifelong Arsenal supporter since 1952 when I saw the ten men in red shirts hold out heroically until the 84th minute at Wembley.
The Arsenal thing was confirmed by a meeting with Alex James during Easter 1953. As with most of us it is a family thing with my father always waxing eloquent about the Chapman years.
I am married with four children and five grandchildren. I have been a solicitor in a legal aid practice and have just stepped down after 13 years as an Immigration Judge.
Arsenal is in the blood. The goals and the excitement matter but so does the Community thing and sharing Arsenal with friends and family over so many years.
Want nothing more than to see Wenger hold aloft the Premier League Trophy again.
Good article and I agree with your analysis. He has been successful though generally by spending huge amounts of money or by taking on already great teams, Porto being the one exception. He will neve be a great manager unless and until he builds teams and then rebuilds them. This requires him to be in a job for more than 3 years so may never happen. He is terrible at being behind so If United don’t start winning he will implode again and not survive the season. Let’s hope!
Sir, A very well written article. Thoroughly enjoyed reading the article and I must say I couldn’t agree more. I also agree with you on the good points you mentioned about the so called “special one”.