Outspoken soccer coach Jose Mourinho, one of the most successful managers in the modern games was recently fired from Manchester United.
Two years ago the Portuguese was tasked with getting one of the biggest soccer clubs on the planet back into the big leagues. But it hasn’t happened and he’s paid the ultimate price for it.
In his place comes Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as interim manager until the end of the season, as the club continue to search for a long term replacement to steer the English giants in the right direction.
The money is currently on Solskjaer as favourite to become the permanent coach. Though there are a number of heavyweight names in contention. With the likes of former Real Madrid and three time back-to-back Champions League winner Zinedine Zidane, as well as Tottenham Hotspur up and comer Mauricio Pochettino both looking like possible candidates.
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But how did it come to this and where did it all wrong for Mourinho? He is one of the most decorated managers in modern soccer history, winner of Champions Leagues and domestic titles in four major European leagues. He was supposed to be a sure bet for the Red Devils and at the beginning he looked like the real deal.
In his first season with United Mourinho attracted big name signings such as Zlatan Ibrahimovic and took the Reds to two titles. First came the League Cup in February 2017, and then followed by the Europa League title in May of the same year, gifting them entry back into the prestigious Champions League.
In his second season Mourinho guided United to a second place finish in the English Premier League, the club’s best finish since Sir Alex Ferguson’s title winning season in 2013 the year he retired.
But last season United were overshadowed by fierce rivals Manchester City who eclipsed them in the title race as well as in the superior style of soccer they displayed on the pitch.
Mourinho needed to pick up his game but results on the pitch started to drop, while disagreements with key players and the club’s board were splashed throughout the European press. In fact Mourinho’s own demeanour began to sink visibly.
The Portuguese coach, once the media darling and full of Mediterranean swagger looked increasingly sad, worn out and simply angry. His soccer team’s performances certainly reflected the negativity and disconsolate nature of their manager and therein lies the problem.
It comes in stark contrast to United’s immediate rivals, whose coaches and the soccer their team’s display on the pitch are progressive, radiating positivity and vitality.
The likes of Pep Guardiola at Manchester City, Jürgen Klopp at Liverpool and Mauricio Pochettino consistently win over the pundits, plaudits and fans alike for the style of soccer their teams play. And it’s no surprise why.
But with the exception of Pep Guardiola, none of the above have won a single trophy since their arrival in English soccer – and their tenures at their respective clubs have been longer than Mourinho’s stint at United.
That’s where the crux of it lies. In just two short years Mourinho won two major honours and guided his team to a second place finish. Instead Mourinho has been fired for the style of his soccer, as much as he has for his and his team’s outwardly negative attitude.
In the past clubs have tolerated Mourinho’s difficult demeanour, his aggressive stance in front of the cameras and his negative soccer on the pitch precisely because he was winning.
Whereas in contrast Pochettino and Klopp continue to strive for solid success with fantastic soccer but have not yet quite clinched it. The soccer they play means when they fail fans still have something positive to cling to.
It has to be said that Pochettino and Klopp are getting closer to Premier League glory and the title race is more open than ever. If you need to compare bookmakers during this season’s Premier League title race then make sure you consult a solid sportsbook expert like BookiesBonuses.com.
Now United have gone with Solskjaer, one of the key figures of the Alex Ferguson era, a player turned manager who exudes the three core values of United: promoting youth, exciting soccer and ultimately, striving for success.
The Norwegian embarked on his managerial career after eleven successful and trophy laden years at Old Trafford when he took over United’s youth academy. Since he has continued to promote youngsters during his time as manager of Molde in Norway.
Solskjaer, a former United striker, also follows Ferguson’s model of playing high tempo attacking soccer that has come to be expected at United.
His record as a manager so far is largely unproven in English soccer after one stint with Cardiff City four years ago ended in relegation. But it just goes to show that with Mourinho’s example, when success isn’t immediate, negativity will not be tolerated at Old Trafford.
Solskjaer has been paired with Ferguson’s former assistant manager Mike Phelan who will resume his previous role under the Norwegian. With the likes of former midfielders Michael Carrick in charge of coaching sessions, Nicky Butt taking care of the youth, and Alex Ferguson himself still wandering the halls of Old Trafford, it looks like good vibes could be returning to the red half of Manchester.
Solskjaer may not succeed but it shows that a positive attitude and a belief in an attacking style of play are still greatly valued at the highest level in the modern English game.
