Is Jose A Good Manager?

Achievements:

Before it’s possible to conclude whether or not Mourinho is a good manager, it’s imperative to look at what the man’s achieved in the game. Immediate success at Chelsea, with two league title’s had followed a Champions League at Porto. Despite the struggle that led to him leaving the Blues in 2007, at this time, Mourinho was being billed as one of the best managers in the world. Due to his equally successful period at Inter, by the time 2010 rolled around it seemed there was nothing this man couldn’t do. He’d won two Champions League’s and was something of a legend in West London. His organisation of football teams was second to none. His teams were well drilled, his counter attacking style of play and ability to get crucial results in big games was admired from Milan to Manchester.

 

He was slightly humbled during his time at Real, he never won the Champions League, and had to limit himself to just a La Liga. This was still viewed as hugely impressive because he opposed one of the greatest teams of all time in Barcelona. After Madrid, Jose returned to Chelsea to great fanfare, he won the league in 2014/15, his side were unanimously hailed for the league the following year, then it all went wrong. The 2015/16 season was an anomaly for the reason that Leicester City were crowned champions. However, Chelsea finished tenth, having sacked Jose at Christmas with the club languishing at the bottom of the table. It was unclear why Chelsea blew up, it is unlikely we’ll ever know, but Mou had definitely lost the dressing room. Players such as Costa, Hazard and Willian simply downed tools. The whole debacle damaged not only Mourinho’s credibility, but the mere sense that he was a different approach, a “special” manager. However, when results floundered in Manchester under Louis Van Gaal, fans clamoured for Mourinho. This brings us to his time at United.

He established himself during his acceptable first season, he won the Europa League, despite finishing a poor sixth in the table, still United fans were optimistic at a strong title challenge next year, and more trophies. Neither materialised, City ran away with the league and United crashed out of Europe on a cold, rainy night at Old Trafford as two Wissam Ben Yedder goals knocked the Red Devils out of the Champions League. A poor second season. Jose has obviously started poorly this term, with two unconvincing wins against mid table sides, sandwiched either side of gut-wrenching defeats to an average, but inspired Brighton, and a classy, but not incredible Tottenham.

Rating: 8.5/10

Style:

It’s commonplace knowledge that Mou demands a lot from his players, and if you displease him, you’ll know about it. Jose’s preferred style of play is a workmanlike, well-drilled and organised 4-2-3-1 formation, spearheaded by a defensive pillar that leads the team, see John Terry. His teams aren’t dazzling to watch, he fancies a strong, bullish attacking option such as Costa, Drogba or Milito. These players intimidate defensive and win key aerial battles. Jose works by the notion that whoever makes the most mistakes loses the game, and he gains great satisfaction in winning ugly. His teams do tend to lack flair and aren’t always utilising players to their strengths, but they are driven to win and are incredibly difficult to break down when defending a lead. It’s a matter of personal opinion whether you like or dislike the tactics. For me, I think when its done correctly, it’s the most effective way of winning a football match, which is what the games about.

Rating: 8/10

Likability: (How Easy Is He To Work With):

This is where he falls down. Notoriously, some people don’t get along with Jose. It’s sprinkled across his career. Great players such as Juan Mata, Mo Salah, Kevin De Bruyne and even Luke Shaw have all been criticised by him. In addition, Eva Cavaneiro, a Chelsea physio, started a bitter war with the Portuguese coach after he resented her tending to one of the Chelsea players without his permission.

However, if Mou likes you, he can be a great manager to play for as he instills motivation into his players. He’s a serial winner, and manipulates you to be the same. You don’t have to be the most naturally gifted either, Fellaini certainly isn’t, but Jose always has him on the bench as he makes a difference. Moreover, when Chelsea won the league in 2015, he brought back Drogba for a season to use as a backup striker. A player in the twilight of his career, he shouldn’t have notched ten goals from the bench, but due to his belief in his abilities and a persistence that terrified defenders, he did. but due to his belief and confidence in himself, he did.

On the other hand, more recently its been more misses than hits for Mou in terms of engaging with players. His critics bemoan the fact he has wasted good talent in Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial and it is a hard claim to argue. These young players could be world class, but Jose doesn’t trust young players greatly, due to their lack of experience in winning. Thus rendering both these incredibly gifted talents being used sporadically, although on occasions to great effect as Rashford scored twice against Liverpool in March, prior to being subbed on sixty minutes.

Rating: 5.5/10

Conclusion:

There’s no doubt that Jose Mourinho will go down in history as a fantastic manager who won multiple Champions League’s, not necessarily by having the best squad, but by getting his players organised for these big games. He has his low points, his lack of emphasis on youth the obvious problem. But generally, he has been quality.

Today, however, he looks like he is the wrong man for United. He is working at a club with a rich history of unearthing and nurturing some of the greatest British players ever such as The Class Of 92′, David Beckham and even George Best. Manchester United insist on exciting football, played how it’s supposed to be played. Jose doesn’t accept or buy into this ideology and he is so stubborn that he will change his ways for no one, not even Ed Woodward’s billions.

I think Jose should leave United for his own good, before he damages his reputation further. However, if the question we are asking is: Is Jose A Good Manager? The answer is yes, a great one.