When the "Special One" arrived at Stamford Bridge in 2004, yes it has been 12 years since a fresh-
faced darker haired Jose Mourinho had us under his spell when he was first unveiled by Chelsea
after winning the Champions League with un-fancied Porto, he was like a breath of fresh air and
spiced up the Premier league and British press. Now the freshness has gone.
Mourinho's style of management and coaching is autocratic and regimented. He likes the direct
involvement with the players, deploying his football methodology, practicing the exercises, and the
development of football ideas. He does not expect any egos or egotistical behavior from his players
but only himself.
According to his philosophy possession is not important, winning a football match is more important
than playing attractive football. During his spells as manager of Porto and Chelsea Mourinho loved to
use 4-5-1 in his football tactics. These tactics relied on strong defensive line-ups and a good holding
midfielder, while in attack he deployed a hard-working front man and a goal-scorer in midfield.
?He can be very critical, at Manchester United he potentially risks turning the Old Trafford dressing
room against him just a few months into the job. A report claimed the aggressive and 'nasty' nature
of his criticism has not been well received by the players.
Naming and shaming them in the press will only get their backs up and he could end up with a
dressing room like the one he finished with at Chelsea where the players stopped playing for him
and lost that team spirit that had won the league the previous season. "His delivery of criticism is
nasty. It is far more personal than Fergie ever was," a source reported recently.
But as a coach some reporters now are off the opinion that his methods and tactical philosophy are
out of date and there is a feeling that Mourinho is no longer the tactical mastermind that saw him
win Champions League trophies with Porto and Inter. Mourinho made his name with smart, reactive
counter-attacking football making sure a clean sheet was the priority.
Despite all the trophies won at Chelsea it was an era of conservatism built on a solid back four and
great keeper. He is no longer the master of the nullifying tactic, Diego Simeone's way of playing high-
energy football with a focus on solid defence has taken Atletico Madrid to a La Liga title and two
Champions League finals on far less resources than it took Mourinho.
Atletico look very difficult to beat nowadays even if they concede possession. In last seasons
Champions League semi-final Pep's Bayern Munich had 73% possession in the second leg but could
only win 2-1 and allow Atlético Madrid win on away goals. There was a time when Mourinho's
teams could do that.
United prefer an attacking style of play and now the club are up against some of the best coaches in
the world in Pep Guardiola, Antonio Conte, Jurgen Klopp and Pochettino. Even Everton's Ronald
Koeman seems to be able to work wonders with a small budget like he did with Southampton.
Mourinho is detrimentally rigid in his coaching style and philosophy and United fans may have to
adapt to his style of football rather than Mourinho adapt to what they are used to.
These younger managers are unleashing fresh modern ideas of football formations, tactics and
attitudes. Across Manchester at City Pep is determined to bring in his passing and possession game.
He believes that cunning and technique will win out against physicality and strength even in the
Premier League.
Pep's attacking revolution changed football, his Barca side dominated all before them. They made
Manchester United look average in two Champions league finals. 8 But some might say that teams are
waking up to this style and deploying counter attacking tactics. Football evolves and changes all the
time, managers need to do the same.
I don't think Mourinho will change, he's too stubborn and set in his beliefs. He is no longer anywhere
near the cutting edge. Under Mourinho United are too pragmatic and cautious, and he needs to
start playing with a bit more freedom and abandonment. He has just paid a world record price for a
great midfielder in Paul Pogba but his tactics are stifling the Frenchman, it's like he's put "straight
jackets" on his creative players so they become more disciplined. So that they don't concede instead
focusing on scoring themselves. This is not the United way.
Source: DSG