Jose Mourinho’s general demeanour has appeared to flounder over a season or so. Mourinho, the special one seems aggrieved at so many things behind the scenes and of late, has taken to quoting from a large book of excuses that provide some comfort when Manchester United are unable to roll teams over like they used to.
Rumours persist that he has fallen out with a number of players including Paul Pogba and that the pair’s relationship is in danger of cardiac arrest.
José Mourinho warned Paul Pogba about speaking to the media and told him to ask for a transfer if he wants to leave Man Utd. While Pogba told Mourinho that if he wants to speak to him formally again, he should speak to his agent. (Source: Sun Sport) pic.twitter.com/jNrMnmsgsy
— Transfer News Live (@DeadlineDayLive) August 16, 2018
When Mourinho first came to these shores, journalists embraced his fresh, funny and arrogant delivery. They lined up in droves for press conferences which were the hottest ticket in football and everyone wanted to hear or read, his latest acidic utterances and opinions, but that was some time ago.
Since then, he has gradually descended into a cavern of gloom, appearing to be offended, unappreciated and disappointed‘ in equal measure and seemingly at odds with those in charge at Mourinhochester United.
Rumours persist that there are stirrings of discontent at board level and that the Special One is overstepping his remit. Although the club has changed ownership, United is a global brand and is certainly up with football’s elite. For Mourinho to consider for one moment, that he is as big as or bigger than the club, would be a grave error of judgement.
Jamie Carragher predicts when Jose Mourinho will be sacked at Man United after bad start to season https://t.co/8HYKKK8Xb5 pic.twitter.com/fdPzMdaA4o
— Mirror Football (@MirrorFootball) August 21, 2018
His recent ramblings, that’s what they are, have concerned United’s inability to secure the type of players he thinks will help secure glory but in an inflated market, where average players are going for £30 million, United have resisted the urge to overspend.
It’s not like they haven’t backed the Portuguese demigod in his rebuilding programme. According to TalkSport
‘In 2016-17, Man United’s net spend was £99.22m to City’s £145.15m, while this season – so far – the Red Devils have spent £138.3m to City’s £142.05m.’
‘Even accounting for only gross spend, City’s total outgoings are higher than United’s since the start of the 2016-17 campaign, with Guardiola spending £365.85m in comparison with Mourinho’s expenditure of £291.3m.’
Hardly small beer, but it’s the manner of United’s inability to mount a challenge and the lack of style in their play on occasion that has been more troubling. Considering the financial outlay of both clubs, United are still short of elegance and parity with their neighbours.
It’s even more laughable when Mourinho decided to have a swipe at Liverpool for attempting to buy the title, he took to rambling on Sky Sports by saying:
“I think Liverpool are trying to buy the title, but when I say buying I mean ‘buying’ with amazing investment”
Mourinho whinged to a baffled presenter
Mourinho….“I think Liverpool are trying to buy the title, but when I say buying I mean 'buying' with amazing investment,” #LFC pic.twitter.com/cyQ5dc7Y6z
— Anything Liverpool (@AnythingLFC_) August 18, 2018
Well, yes, that’s what clubs do to guarantee success, they spend to either challenge for honours or to remain in the biggest league on the planet.
He followed up that bewildering comment with a complaint about a documentary about City’s incredible season ‘All or Nothing’ which he hasn’t even seen. Mourinho was quoted by BBC:
“I think you can have a fantastic movie, respecting others. You don’t need to be disrespectful.”
He went on:
“I know a few things about the movie. My reaction is if you are a rich club you can buy top players, you cannot buy class. That is my first reaction.”
“The second reaction is because I am in the movie, I could ask for some royalties.”
"You can be a rich club and buy the best players in the world but you cannot buy class and they showed that clearly, that was really obvious."
It's fair to say that Jose Mourinho was not impressed with @ManCity's 'All or Nothing' documentary…👀
More: https://t.co/fCColBLNcE pic.twitter.com/nTxtLAegn3
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) August 18, 2018
Well, I know a few things about Mamma Mia 2 but I can’t say if it’s worth watching but Meryl Streep didn’t clock up a record 100 points and annihilate the majority of opposition in the process unless you count her questionable singing voice.
It seems as if Mourinho has forgotten that football matches come first, then the way in which they are won and the pithy comments come afterwards. There was a time when his reasoning was clear and valid but he is on collision course with United and it’s not going to end well.
Perhaps Mourinho realises that City cannot be caught and he is engineering his way out of the club on his own terms, probably citing lack of transfer activity that is preventing him from claiming all the major prizes.
I’m just playing devils advocate but he rarely stays anywhere for too long and since his arrival, things haven’t really gone to plan. He has even claimed that the community shield was a trophy, instead of being the insignificant giant silver, serving platter, worthy only of displaying French fancies and sticky buns.
In an article earlier this year, I noted that Antonio Conte and Jose Mourinho were in danger of being sacked, months later Conte was replaced by Maurizio Sarri, it may only be a matter of time before the ‘special one’ follows suit.
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