Why thin-skinned Jose just cannot stop himself having pop at his rivals
WHAT’S bugging Jose Mourinho? Manchester United’s manager has been acting like the thin-skinned one, squabbling with fans and media despite the privilege of leading England’s biggest club and only one defeat in 16 games this season.
The answer is a perceived lack of respect. Like any high achiever in his field, Mourinho believes his status and medals should count for something.
Yet with 25 trophies to his name — more than anyone in the Premier League — he’s seen the potless Mauricio Pochettino receive greater credit for a single victory against Real Madrid than he has got all season.
Mourinho returns to former club Chelsea today still smarting over the way United’s dull 0-0 draw at Liverpool and structured 1-0 win against Spurs have been portrayed.
A year ago, United were beaten 4-0 at Stamford Bridge and they have scored only one goal in their last nine visits to clubs in the so-called Big Six. But, if anyone expects Mourinho to be chastened into releasing the handbrake at Stamford Bridge, they’ll be disappointed.
‘Before I was a manager, I was a football-lover,’ he said. ‘Real competition is what is spectacular for me. I can watch matches all day, it doesn’t matter which level, as long as the spectacle is competition. I prefer to watch an unknown league where it’s difficult to predict the winner than a game where you know what’s going to happen.
‘For me, the priority is competition. What is magic for you? What is phenomenal for you?’
Mourinho loved the way his players handled Pochettino’s Spurs under tactical supervision last weekend and was upset some Old Trafford fans booed his replacement of Marcus Rashford rather than relish the masterclass.
‘The way Tottenham played against Real Madrid, I recently saw some team play exactly that way and it was seen as negative,’ he complains, referring to his team’s victory against Spurs.
‘I saw it, not on TV but on the touchline. Defending, pressing, controlling the penetration, five at the back, projecting the fullbacks, getting the ball forward in quick transitions, attacking the last defensive line.’