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Jose Mourinho has been one of the most successful managers of all time in the top flight of English football. He is also considered a legendary figure in the continent. His records are second to none but he comes with a reputation for implosion.
Since Sir Alex Ferguson's departure, Manchester United have moved from the mythical to the modern world of football. Mourinho has been under fire recently after a less than a happy pre-season and mixed start to the season. His relationship with Executive Vice Chairman Ed Woodward is under the microscope. It looks all but certain to many spectators that there is disaster waiting to happen at United.
While there is no immediate danger of Mourinho losing his seat, increased speculation persists on him being given the boot. Especially, if there is no turnaround in fortunes.
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Here are five reasons why Manchester United should not act rashly and give Mourinho the push.
#5 The 'third season implosion' has been blown out of proportion.
Mourinho has faced much criticism over the course of his career. According to the media, iit's certain that Mourinho's third season is going to be disastrous. This is based on 'proof' of Mourinho's performance at other clubs. He coached SL Benfica, Uniao de Leiria and Porto in Portugal and never stayed long enough to contribute to this myth. He did not leave because of any 'toxicity' either.
At Benfica, he was not given a contract extension and had to leave. He left Uniao after a solid campaign for biggest club job in Portugal, FC Porto, where he departed as a hero after two successful campaigns. FC Porto fans and the team were keen for Mourinho to stay on, after a legendary Champions League victory.
His move to England followed next, in what was the beginning of his peak as manager. Mourinho's third season saw him win a cup double despite failing to win the league. He left by mutual consent after a shaky start in his fourth season at Stamford Bridge caused by friction with the Board who interfered by signing unwanted players and appointing Avram Grant despite the Portuguese Manager's objection.
He lasted two extremely successful seasons at Inter and once more left after two seasons as a hero.
His move to Real Madrid was something for which most coaches would almost be envious of. His third season at Madrid was compounded by poor relationships with players like Casillas and Ramos, influential players who never enjoyed a strong relationship with Mourinho since the beginning of his reign.
While Mourinho claimed that this was the worst season of his life, Real Madrid finished a respectable second, to an all-conquering Barcelona and lost in the Copa del Rey final. It is foolish to deny the off-the-pitch controversies Mourinho was involved in, but his entire time in Spain was bogged by problems and feuding well before his third season. His third season with the Spanish giants was far from disastrous on the pitch, despite them not winning trophies.
His 'implosion' happened at his second spell with Chelsea. This has been the only time in his career where a team has truly been shattered under his management in any season. Many pundits claim that Mourinho has begun to moan, signalling the winding up of his days. However, a quick look at his first season at Old Trafford will assure anyone that this is Mourinho being Mourinho. No implosion, as a result, is waiting.
When the bosses at Old Trafford appointed the Portuguese Manager, they knew the person they had taken on. His second Chelsea reign remains the only job where Mourinho was sacked, with him resigning from Real Madrid and leaving Chelsea the first time around by 'mutual consent'.
#4 Injuries and fitness conce
Mourinho's team started the season without his preferred players. His best players returned from the World Cup campaign and tiredness is a factor.
While most of Mourinho's rivals have similar issues, squad depth is a factor one should not ignore. The Portuguese repeatedly called for more investment in summer. He feels the depth in his squad is not enough. The board failed to deliver. With his key players not fully fit or now injured it is harsh to sack Mourinho for a problem he has identified.
A different manager would have brushed over his needs but Mourinho was clear in his demands. Woodward's reluctance to back his man has left United struggling for cover who are good enough to challenge Top 4 rivals at every given opportunity.
#3 Limited tactical options
Diego Dalot, Fred and Lee Grant were useful additions to the United squad but Mourinho's call for additional centre-halves was ignored or not delivered. This leaves him without a possibility of switching his tactical system more efficiently.
Eric Baily's mistake against Brighton displayed a need for a calmer head. Mourinho's recent switch in the last seasons to a back three means he needs his centre-backs to be on point for 90 minutes. It also makes the most sense with the full-backs he has in his squad being former wingers or attack-minded full-backs.
The speculation that United went through five different transfer targets at centre back but failed to land places the blame at Woodward's door.
Gary Neville's assessment on Sky Sports sums it up beautifully, “The club have supported Jose Mourinho and given him a lot of money. But you can’t go half rolls. Don’t three-quarters build a house if you’re not going to finish it.”
#2 Media speculation
Media is an inseparable part of the game in a high profile league like the Premier League. It is surprising to note the intensity at which the 'Mourinho must be sacked' idea gathered steam after only two early season games. The only other yardstick so far is a pre-season with an incomplete squad.
Mourinho's persona lends itself to controversy. Yet, there is nothing to suggest he has lost control of the team. Mourinho, in the past, has been open about unhappiness with players. Cristiano Ronaldo, Casillas, Shevchenko or Hazard are examples of him, not shying away from admitting problems. He has recorded his satisfaction with Pogba many times, this season alone.
Rumours of a feud, therefore, look ill-conceived despite Pogba's comments. It seems as if the media was waiting to turn Mourinho's season three into a soap opera.
While the Woodward-Mourinho tension is true, they failed to report a solid performance by Brighton. This has turned the early season defeat into a saga of desperation.
#1 Mourinho out! Then who?
Here are potential big names who the hierarchy might consider.
Mauricio Pochettino
The Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino seems content in North London. He previously was reported to have rejected an approach from United after they sacked Louis van Gaal. There is no reason for the Argentine to leave Spurs for fellow Top 4 challengers. The only benefit would be a higher transfer budget. There is no guarantee that he can turn the fortunes of United around quickly from Manchester United's perspective.
He was afforded two seasons at Spurs to change things around before the results started coming together and his side seems capable of challenging by themselves.
Most important is the Daniel Levy factor. It seems impossible to see Levy allowing his most prized asset to leave the club so soon after the New White Hart Lane is inaugurated to a direct rival.
Zinedine Zidane
Zidane left Real Madrid after becoming 'burnt out'. There are more than a few sources which say he left after realising he might be sacked.
At United, Zidane would gain the respect of players. The job at United though requires more than man management.
Zidane's style of play depended highly on allowing his explosive frontmen at Real Madrid to express themselves. When they were out of touch, he seldom showed tactical nous to rescue the side.
In the age of an inspired Manchester City dominating the League, it is risky to go all in for a manager whose skill-set revolves around managing egos and not tactical acumen.
In fact on balance, he would be a better replacement for Guardiola at City, considering the kind of skills needed at the Etihad in the long run to preserve a star-studded squad
Zidane also knew Real Madrid inside out. This was a result of having been a part of the coaching staff for a long time.
While his achievements are not to be scoffed at, his skills do not transfer to the Manchester United situation. This is because of a need to improve the squad and rebuild it in his image. There is no guarantee that Zidane's rebuild, should it happen, will deliver results. As it has been seen over the course of the last two rebuilds at United, 'philosophy' doesn't guarantee results or style.
Zidane still has a lot left to prove, despite his back to back Champions League titles.
Other names
Simeone is the biggest name left. Ancelotti, whose career graph fits Old Trafford only recently moved to Napoli. Thomas Tuchel took charge of PSG this summer. This leaves Simeone and Allegri as the only names that fit the profile of United, provided they are interested.
The other choices would be unconventional options. However, both Allegri and Simeone play a brand of football similar to Mourinho. Their sides are focused on solidity and counter attacks. Appointing them will not change much on the style front.
Leonardo Jardim suits United's core philosophy. But, he would require time to implement his ideas. Time is the one commodity United can't afford in the age of City and a strong Liverpool.
Mourinho guarantees results-now. Results till 2020 will give them a solid platform to build on again.
There is a chance, the future will bring more options for the Board. Until then, Mourinho is their best shot at glory.
