Jose Mourinho

[rossdapep]

I think those that are using his time at United as an example of him becoming 'washed up' need to really take into consideration that our situation and what we need is vastly different to United's and what they needed.

Since Fergie left United they've been demanding that they get back to their 'perch' but at the same time fans wanted exciting 100mph football. Despite not really realising that United haven't been that team for a great number of years, even in Fergie's latter years. But because they were winning and still had the Fergie effect it wasn't really noted.

The fans were bored stiff from the Van Gaal reign even though I don't think he was doing too bad and they were at least sitting in and around the top 4. But still attacking football is important to them so out goes VG.

So when Mourinho rocks up at United he instantly tells the fans that there is a hell of a lot work to be done, as he knows the squad is very imbalanced and a lot of players need shifting. Because of these issues he adjusts his short term goals to simply winning a trophy - League position is not of primary importance right now. He needs to feed the fans desire with trophies. So he does by winning Europa and League cup.

Second season and there are some grumbles from fans and players that they want more attacking football. So Mourinho obliges and they start the season by matching City for scoring and smashing teams. But Mourinho knows that defence is an accident waiting to happen. He isn't stupid, so goes to Anfield with a very pragmatic approach. This would eventually lead to his downfall as certain players and fans would be demanding of attacking football. Even though Fergie did this countless times.

The likes of Pogba and Martial shirked defensive responsibility as they want to be seen as the main men on the pitch, not part of the team. And this is where Mourinho began to become moody. He knew he was wrestling with egos and then later he lost his closest ally - Ibrahimovic.

All footballers want to express themselves and play with freedom but without structure and solid organisation none of that works. Mourinho was trying to give them a solid structure to blend with their counter attacking abilities but these players weren't having it they just wanted the glory. Too many egos not enough team players.

In the beginning I recall United fans singing mourinho songs and how he'd brought the joy back to the club after Van Gaal. But it was never going to last as Mourinho could see all the issues under the surface as was trying to find a way to keep fans satisfied and hopeful whilst he could fix them. Except he had a CEO who takes an age to get a signing done and can only work on one at a time. He was also unwilling to fully back his man.

So United wanted results, they wanted trophies, they wanted to be back on their perch, they wanted attacking football but the club, the players and the infrastructure wasn't set up to give them that.

I think our situation is completely different.

We have the players, we have the infrastructure, we have the position. We don't have the demand but the hunger. Which means if we see pragmatic football but results, we will be patient and we'll revel in the big wins not accept it as standard.

United wanted everything from the glory years, we just want the next step in our evolution and to start picking up trophies.

 

[THOWIG]

Mixed.

Can see why they've gone for him. It's down to Mourinho to take a look at himself.

 

[riggi]

^

Ah see I don’t look too much into it all. Words are easy. I’ll defiantly be watching though.

 

[Neon_Knight_]

We definitely can't accuse Levy of lacking ambition or being risk averse with this appointment. It will be interesting to see what happens with the expiring contracts (Eriksen, Toby, Jan & Rose) and the next two transfer windows.

The contract is 3.5 years, which is bout right to give Mourinho his standard 3 year tenure. Hopefully he'll win something (even if it's the League Cup) within that time and instill a winning mentality. I'd then like to see a pragmatic long-term appointment, of Poch / Klopp ilk, to keep the success going sustainably.

 

[chelmyid]

Well, I'm getting shit for my views and seem to be annoying people so I'll shut up after this. But literally all I'm doing is looking at what's happened in the past with him and assuming, based on him being a big character with a big ego(that his win record justifies frankly) that he won't of strayed too far from type.

His net spend was 300 million at United, which is nuts. And some of that spend was on a couple of players he probably didn't want. But most of them were his players. And he left the club complaining about not spending more. Of course he's going to expect to spend money, he has everywhere else he's been. And now he's got to deal with Levy. If you speak to man united fans they think we're nuts doing what we're doing. And I'm not just gonna be some optimistic, stick my head in the sand, when all the history suggests there's going to be problems.

But I will say this. He's an excellent tactician and a fucking brilliant motivator. So we'll certainly get something out of him for a time. And I do actually think, with these players, if they stay fit, and we get a bit of luck, we have a shot at winning the CL with him this year. And if that happens, the appointment should be considered an absolute master stroke.

But it's my opinion the clock has started ticking, we need to win something and we need to win it sooner rather than later.... FA Cup, meh, I'd take that CL final over winning the FA Cup last year given the choice. But perhaps that's just me.

There’s some good argument in the first 3 paragraphs. The reason you are probably getting shit is because you end it with your clock has started ticking. He hasnt even managed a game yet - Don’t you think you are just waiting for failure with those thoughts!

 

[Spurs_Bear]

Very dangerous game being this attached or detached from a manager. I never expected to want Hoddle sacked but his reign was a disaster.

If I could sing AVB’s name then I’m sure I can sing Mourinho’s.

 

[richard_gleeson]

I mentioned the rondo in training yesterday but just look at the difference in this. Totally different attitude from the players.

Jesus cant believe how bad the first video was. And how that even came out for people to see!

 

[Neon_Knight_]

As soon as Poch's sacking was announced, I assumed his replacement must already be lined up, due to the timing...not another Tim Sherwood caretaker manager. I imagine it was similar to the Ramos appointment, whereby talks had been ongoing for weeks/months.

I was expecting an underwhelming appointment, so I'm really excited, even though apprehensive at the same time.

 

[nailsy]

response on here is polar opposite to all lthe real world spurs fans i know.

arsenal fans on the other hand seem really delighted

i think there will be an improvement in the short term but will be astonished if he doesnt
drag our name thru the mud
make it all about him
leave us in acrimo ious circumstances by sept 21

Most of us in here have had a while to get used to the idea of Poch leaving and another manager coming in as it's been on the cards since Trix, Hercules and Val all said how bad things were behind the scenes. We've had weeks of discussing if Jose or anyone else would be a good fit here. It's probably taken most of your real world fans by surprise.

The January window was alway a cruel myth. I don't know how it started or why, but honestly this is Tottenham Hotspur. All of the sudden we were going to do an overhaul in JANUARY?

I could believe that we were probably looking to ship a couple of the contract rebels out and maybe bring in one, or two max. There was no way we were going for a full overhaul. We don't even need a full overhaul.

 

[Dr Know]

Ah see I don’t look too much into it all. Words are easy. I’ll defiantly be watching though.

Yeah I get that but I’m not too bothered about the words on their own, his demeanor will be key for me today.

 

[Everlasting Seconds]

I could believe that we were probably looking to ship a couple of the contract rebels out and maybe bring in one, or two max. There was no way we were going for a full overhaul. We don't even need a full overhaul.

Exactly, fully so. But the notion of sticking with the past mess because it would be sorted out in January and all go away. That's what you call fiction, isn't it.

 

[Matthew]

This club needed a smug, arrogant, win it all costs utter bastard. It needs to be taught how to win. No more folding in finals. Mourinho certainly fits that bill. Im excited for the entertainment the pressers will give.

did they approach you?

 

[dagraham]

I want the world Chico and everything in it.

I can definitely visualise Jose in a mansion, surrounded by lackeys and guns, with acute paranoia and nose deep in a pile of coke.

 

[scat1620]

I'm fucking stoked, as I always am when the club makes a significant upgrade on the footballing side.

 

[rez9000]

That would have been discussed between them during negations.

Jose thinks highly of our team, he already said we have the 3rd best squad in the league and we should be challenging for the title, he can get by until the summer.

Exactly. Even if it’s true (and reasons exist for the club to try and misinform; not saying they have, but...) this isn’t news. If true, it’s the reality and Jose will have been fully aware of it going in.

 

[dimiSpur]

Do we know what time his press conference will take place? Sky are saying "from 2pm", which means tune in and watch us repeat bullshit until it starts at half past 7.

 

[Shadydan]

Press conference at 2pm today SSN showing it live

 

[Joely]

On the fence myself. The appointment is all about the right time and place. For Mourinho, he can come in and go about rebuilding his reputation somewhat in the biggest league in the world, in a city that suits him. He has a decent squad to work with. For Levy, he gets a manager who has won the lot, knows the league inside out and gives the club a good chance of trying to make a push for a top 4 place.

In terms of on the pitch, for all the talk of of a 'new style' etc, don't see Mourinho fundamentally moving too far from what he knows. Maybe some tinkering here and there and the fact he has a world class striker still in his peak years will help him massively. Add to that an exciting, hard working forward like Son and hopefully an Alli who can find form again, it gives him more of a platform to build on higher up the pitch imo. At Utd, never really felt he had players higher up the pitch he could truly really depend/trust upon and don't think that will be so much of an issue at us. Will still be as pragmatic as he always has against the top sides (no problem with that) but my hope is he tries to be a bit more expansive against the rest of the teams in the league, especially at home.

Saying all the above, there's an air of inevitably about how it will end for me. No doubt Mourinho is a winner but he's nearly always been in jobs where the clubs goal is silverware and where owners have generally backed him in that quest . ENIC for me would be quite happy just getting into the CL each year and the way they operate won't significantly change imo. I don't think Mourinho will be content with that and a clash with Levy is nailed on and more a matter of when rather than if. First potential flash point being next summer imo

If he gets us into the CL in the next couple of seasons and picks up a pot on the way as a bonus, Levy will be more than happy. Mourinho will want to push on to bigger things, realise it is not going to happen under Levy (to be fair, probably already knows it but job just suits him at the moment) and then look for a way out and eventually be on his merry way. Won't bother Levy though and we'll have someone else in

 

[bubble07]

Do we know what time his press conference will take place? Sky are saying "from 2pm", which means tune in and watch us repeat bullshit until it starts at half past 7.

19:30 I think

 

[Shadydan]

Press conference at 2pm today SSN showing it live

@dimiSpur