Jose’s whines show Klopp has him worried
Optimism and enthusiasm should abound as the new football season appears on the horizon. However, no one seems to have told Jose Mourinho! The Manchester United manager has cut a positively miserable figure throughout his club’s pre-season tour of America.
You name it and Mourinho has moaned about it. The schedule and location of matches in the USA, the lack of players at his disposal because of extended post-world Cup holidays, the lack of signings.
But, most interestingly of all, has been his decision to single out Liverpool and rival boss Jurgen Klopp ahead of the new campaign.
For a large part of his managerial career, Mourinho has chased after Pep Guardiola. But, after seeing City finish 19 points ahead of United last season, playing glorious football, Mourinho must sense that’s a fight that he can’t win.
So he’s switched his attention to Anfield, and a team who actually finished two places below United in the league.
After seeing them spend £170 million on four new players this summer, Mourinho has thrown down the gauntlet, saying Liverpool “have to win”.
Of course, it’s 28 years since the Merseyside Reds were last Champions of England and the expectation is now on Klopp to end that barren spell, especially after their thrilling run to the Champions League final.
The Portuguese is a savvy operator and he’ll know that better than anyone.
So just increasing that pressure by a notch or two is his way of dealing with it.
But he is also irked by what he regards as unfair treatment in the media between him and Klopp.
Mourinho would rightly state that in his two seasons at United, he’s won two trophies. The German has been in his job nearly a year longer, but has still not won anything.
The Portuguese is a serial winner and feels that should come above pretty football in terms of how you’re perceived.
For all of Liverpool’s plaudits last season for their style of play, at the end they and United were left with the same thing – nothing.
There is also a subliminal message to United’s board. It says: “Look at our rivals. They believe in their manager and have given him exactly what he wants”.
So far, the Red Devils have signed Fred, who should bring dynamism to the midfield for £52 million, plus Portuguese teenager Diogo Dalot and back-up goalkeeper Lee Grant.
It does not scream of a club ready to win the league. And it leaves Mourinho in a difficult position.
He’s not sure how to catch the man out in front and worried how he might be overtaken by the guy just over his shoulder.
Does he chase the leader or try to make sure he keeps hold of second? At the moment, he seems to be more worried about the latter.