Jose Mourinho Is Out At Manchester United
Photo Credit: News 18
So it was announced earlier this morning that the self proclaimed Special One has been fired from his head coaching position at Manchester United. It comes as really no surprise as Manchester United are not just struggling in 6th place in the Premier League but also that they are 8 points behind 5th place and would need a hell of turn around, borderline miracle, to manage top 4 this season and play Champions League soccer next year. Granted Manchester United were able to move on to the Rd of 16 in the Champions League this season under Mourinho’s command but with a very tough match-up against PSG coming up it will likely be the end of the road in that competition. So theoretically United do have another route to Champions League football next year if they were somehow able to win the competition this year, but again it’s a rather far-fetched scenario.
The main reason this firing really comes as no surprise, Mourinho has once again feuded with star players at the club and once again the board have sided with the players. We saw it with Mourinho at Real Madrid, with him at Chelsea in his 2nd stint and now it has happened once more at United. All it really proves is that the players have more power than the coaches these days. But i’m not absolving Mourinho of any blame. With him it’s either his way or the highway. There’s no middle ground or compromise and until he learns this his coaching career is only going to continue in its already downward trajectory. Mourinho is a very strict manager with a defense first mind set and players that don’t fit that mold can kick rocks for all he cares. His approach is to force players to fit to his style of play rather than have his style of play fit his players, and it just continues to blow up in his face. Mourinho should actually be trying to get the best out of his players and motivate them but I honestly feel like him benching star players brings him a sense of enjoyment or an I told you so attitude. Only this time, his feud with Paul Pogba ended with nothing. This is the first time since 2002 and in 6 different stints as head coach that Mourinho walks away from the position without a title. Many questions are swirling about where will the once great head coach land next but one thing is for certain, if he doesn’t change his attitude or approach soon, he may not have many more top level jobs to come by.
For what it’s worth, I still love Mourinho as a head coach. He will always be a Chelsea legend and he’s just one of those people that the sport is better with when he’s involved.
Until next time….
Photo Credit: Goal