After his dismissal by Roma, Jose Mourinho is on the lookout for a new opportunity, armed with an impressive CV. Joining the ranks of Manchester United managers who believed their exit was premature, Mourinho may reflect on his future as he clears his desk at Roma.
In football, age doesn’t necessarily signal a career wind-down. Mourinho, with a storied journey from Porto to managing six clubs in seven stints, including two tenures at Chelsea, remains a serial winner. His CV boasts two Champions League trophies, eight domestic titles, and four World’s Best Coach awards.
While critics downplayed his claim that finishing second with Manchester United in the 2017/18 Premier League season was among his greatest achievements, Mourinho points to challenges behind the scenes. Despite winning the Europa League and League Cup in his first season, he was sacked in 2018 due to clashes with the board and headline-grabbing press conferences.
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Mourinho’s frustration extended to a perceived lack of support from the board, disagreements over transfers, and insufficient emphasis on youth development. The issues within the United hierarchy under various managers post-Sir Alex Ferguson are well-documented.
The Glazers, overseeing five permanent managers (eight including caretakers) since Ferguson’s retirement, faced heightened criticism during the 2021 Super League attempt and an extended takeover process. Mourinho argued that United lacked a supportive structure for managers to thrive.
Expressing his experience at United, Mourinho regretted not being given sufficient time for his vision. He emphasized the need for a club structure with an owner, CEO, football director, and manager. Despite managing 144 matches during his two-and-a-half-year tenure, Mourinho felt he left in the middle of a process and lamented the challenges modern football presents.
As Erik ten Hag’s position at United faces scrutiny, Mourinho, having experienced a perceived lack of time and support, may reflect on what could have been with a more accommodating environment.