Another acrimonious exit for Mourinho in growing list
LONDON: Jose Mourinho is undoubtedly one of the most successful managers of his generation, yet the manner in which he often leaves a club after delivering success points to why he may never enjoy universal love and acclaim despite a glittering resume.
Mourinho was sacked as Manchester United manager on Tuesday following a 3-1 defeat by arch-rivals and Premier League leaders Liverpool at the weekend, leaving the club in sixth place in the standings, 19 points off the top.
“Manchester United announces that manager Jose Mourinho has left the club with immediate effect,” a club statement said.
“The club would like to thank Jose for his work during his time at Manchester United and to wish him success in the future.”
His departure after two years at Old Trafford, perceived to be his dream role, marked the fi rst time since his days as Uniao de Leiria coach in 2002 that Mourinho has left a club without winning a domestic league title.
Having made a name for himself by leading Porto to the Champions League crown in 2004, memorably beating Alex Ferguson’s United in the semi- finals, Mourinho moved to Chelsea amid a media whirlwind, with many enchanted by his charm.
A duo of Premier League titles and an FA Cup triumph followed, along with three League Cup victories under the self-anointed ‘Special One’.
However, reported power struggles with owner Roman Abramovich and the appointment of Avram Grant as director of football meant Mourinho’s authority was not absolute.
The situation came to a head in September 2007 when he left the club “by mutual consent”, following an inauspicious start to the latest Premier League campaign.
He joined Inter Milan in July 2008 and went on to achieve considerable success in a short spell in Italy. Having won Serie A in his first season, Mourinho then led Inter to a remarkable treble in 2010: the league title, the Italian Cup, and the Champions League.
That proved enough
The club would like to thank Jose for his work during his time at Manchester United and to wish him success in the future.
for Real Madrid to pay out a recordbreaking compensation package for a manager to lure Mourinho to the Santiago Bernabeu.
It was not long until Mourinho experienced the demanding and vociferous nature of leading the La Liga giants, with his style coming in for intense criticism following a 5- 0 defeat by fierce rivals Barcelona in his first El Clasico match in November 2010.
Mourinho was to clash on many occasions with the Spanish press, with his relationship deteriorating with the media so much over his three years in Madrid he often resorted to sending his assistants to do news conference duties.
He did lead Madrid to a La Liga title in 2012, in addition to a King’s Cup the previous year. But defeat in the King’s Cup fi nal of 2013 by city rivals Atletico Madrid, having spent another year in Barca’s shadow, led Mourinho to call the 201213 season “the worst of my career”.
Once again, Mourinho was out of the door “by mutual agreement”.
On his return to Chelsea in 2013, he declared himsel f “the happy one” and set about transforming a Chelsea side that had disappointed the previous year.
He led them to the League Cup and Premier League title in 2015, losing just three league games all season. However it was not long into his third campaign that the wheels started to come loose.
After a 2- 2 draw with lowly Swansea City at Stamford Bridge, Mourinho bizarrely made the decision to publ icly deride Chelsea’s medical officials who had rushed on to the pitch to treat Eden Hazard who was on the ground.
The incident led to first- team doctor Eva Carneiro, one of those criticised by Mourinho, to leave the club. She later sued Chelsea for constructive dismissal and accused Mourinho of personally insulting her in his native Portuguese.
The fallout coincided with a poor run of form, with reports of a dressing room rift forming because of the Mourinho’s style. After losing nine out of 16 Premier League matches, he left Chelsea for a second time “by mutual consent”.
He s eemed the perfect man to restore United’s glory days and make them a force in Europe once again.
He did that to an extent with a Europa League crown which qual i f ied Uni ted for the Champions League. But, his later United days will be
Lowpoints that spelt the end of Mourinho’s unhappy Man Utd tenure May 19:
United lose FA Cup final 1- 0 to Chelsea, ending the season without a trophy for first time in three years.
Aug 19:
Defeat in second game of new Premier League season 3-2 to Brighton & Hove Albion.
Aug 27:
Mourinho sees his side lose 3- 0 to Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford, the biggest home defeat of his career. Complains about ‘respect’ to media after the game.
Sept 22:
Midfielder Paul Pogba says United should attack more at home after disappointing 1-1 draw with Wolves. Mourinho strips Frenchman of vicecaptaincy in growing rift.
Sept 25:
United dumped out of the League Cup at home by second-tier Derby County on penalties
Sept 29:
3-1 defeat in the league by West Ham United means United suffer their worst start to a new season in 29 years.
Oct 8:
Investigated by FA after allegedly swearing in Portuguese to camera after 3-2 comeback win over Newcastle United.
Nov 11:
Comprehensively outplayed and beaten 3-1 by champions Manchester City away.
Dec 16:
Another 3-1 defeat, this time by fierce rivals Liverpool which leaves United 19 points behind their league leading opposition.
Dec 18:
Mourinho sacked with the club sixth in the Premier League. - Reuters
Manchester United Football Club
remembered for his publ ic criticism of players, such as Luke Shaw, reported and repeated rows with Paul Pogba and terse news conferences. The r e i s n o d e ny i ng Mourinho’s genius as a coach, with trophies following in his wake wherever he goes. However, it is clear that along with his tactical skills, his acerbic personality has made it difficult for him to enjoy sustained relationships. No surprise then he finds himsel f, once again, the nomadic one. — Reuters