A Storm Is Coming:Chapter Mourinho

Jose Mourinho, the premier league’s most controversial manager, makes his return this coming season. His allegiance will lie with Manchester United this time. As to whether it’s a triumphant return for the premier league’s favourite villain, remains to be seen. Mourinho has always been a manager of results before anything else. His successes have showed he is the man when it comes to delivering consistent silverware. His methods haven’t always been the best though, with his teams often employing very defensive approaches. In his quest of returning Manchester United to their spectacular heights of glory, he is sure to follow the same path. Does this jar with the exciting brand of football United fans have become accustomed to? Yes. Do they care?  Apparently not.

His teams set out to frustrate their opposition with defensive discipline and then catch them on the break with menacing counter attacks. This is very much his approach in the big games. Using his excellent man management skills, he creates a siege mentality amongst his charges and riles them up to throw everything on the line to ensure the victory. When playing against lesser opposition, he is ruthless in his approach. He likes open displays of strength and dominance in such encounters. This brings to bare his ability to tailor his approach to fit each game and still end up the top dog, more often than not. He engrains an aura of invincibility into the minds of his players, making them perform exceptionally well. Mind games are a specialty of his, and the fact that he has more than a simple flirtation with the dark side, makes him the ultimate pantomime villain of the premier league. He is a master at the dark arts.

His methods have always proved successful. Just ask Porto, Chelsea, Real Madrid and Inter Milan how much he has helped their trophy cabinets. His career is littered with silverware that many managers would only dream of.

There are arguments that his methods only work in the short term. It’s argued that his approach often leaves his players mentally drained and his teams tend to implode after a couple of seasons under his stewardship. This particular flaw has led to spectacular falls from grace and falling outs with players who worshipped him previously. Will this rear its ugly head in Manchester United? His much maligned ‘anti-football’ tactics don’t get him any admirers either. He is widely considered the devil to Guardiola’s angelic nature. It has been said that he lacks respect for his colleagues. Shout out to Arsene Wenger.

All in all, if you’re in dire need of results-as United are at the moment, then Jose is your man. He may be a quick fix, but he is the best quick fix money can buy. He will make them a force again and make them compete. He has already signalled his intent with some early signings making the headlines. Will he leave Manchester United broken and worse for wear after some seasons? Maybe. Do they care over at the theatre of dreams? Not if he gets them some meaningful silverware first. So for now, Mourinho’s red army sings; Glory Glory Man United.

Kaizer