If it’s good for Jose, it’s good for me
PEDRO CAIXINHA spent the international break delivering university lectures.
And the Rangers gaffer insists the academic approach is right for him and Rangers – because it is right for Jose Mourinho and Manchester United.
Caixinha spent four days in his native Portugal during the Premiership lay-off, teaching students on the University of Lisbon’s high-performance coaching course.
The Gers gaffer is one of only two managers on the teaching staff, alongside Old Trafford counterpart Mourinho, who part-designed the syllabus.
Caixinha did not rub shoulders with his old pal this time around, though.
But he revealed he has been in touch with the United boss through the week, and has regular chats in which they reinforce their shared approach to the job.
“I come from the academic world. I used to be a professor at a university, so I like to coach and I like to teach. I also like to share with others the way I live, so it was like that, basically,” explained Caixinha.
“We shared our methodology all the way from A-Z and showed the students how we work on a weekly basis.
“Jose wasn’t there – he spoke in June. But I have spoken often with Jose since taking this job.
“This week, for example, I emailed him because we’d had a visit from the CEO of Chivas in Mexico, and he also wanted to go to Manchester United.
“He asked me to call Jose to ask him if he would speak to the guy for five minutes.
“If you ask me which manager you would call to discuss football and training, then it’s him. If I have something to ask him, I do it directly.”
He added: “Talking to him totally confirmed my belief that I’m on the right track, because first of all he is the best. You need to look for the best.
“The majority of the Portugese share the same methodology, which we call tactical periodisation.
“So the way we perform, the way we organise and see the training, I have no doubts about it.
“That’s what we believe, that’s what we share, and that’s what we try to build.”