Because what we stand for is genuine passion, and the genuine pursuit and study of excellence.
This is a man with the courage to expose his humanity. To expose his inner self even if it transcends what others have outlined as acceptable. And that not only makes him remarkable, but I believe is the enormous difference he holds over others.
ITV presents: Mourinho by SangueLeonino
Study the masters.
Hate him or love him for better or worse..my hero. It is why he is missed so much in England.
also Sir Bobby a class act!
Crosses!! Machination, all these closet Madrilistas!! 🙂
LOL but really im no closet or open Madrilista! smile smile.
No one better than him, maybe except Wenger….
I would luv it if The Special One could come to Chivas cause the Cruyff experiment has failed…wishiful thinking..
I think he wants to win either another EPL or CL title before leaving Europe. But I doubt he would come to the US. Pep mmmmaybe. He would be great here. But he might go nuts.
Just like Wenger in England he used to be sooo cerebral and calm on the sideline…
Love him. Wish they talked even more about what he does before games. How he coaches.
Sorry, but Pep is the special and as time moves forward I think it will become very clear.
Pep has a lot to prove. Jose did it in 4 leagues.
Oops, “special one”
I got to hear Mourinho in person. He is definitely much different than what the media perceives him to be. He is a very real and deep person.
Is anyone else having problems watching this video? Anytime it goes to a commercial it returns with just a black screen and audio, no picture 🙁
Try a different browser John.
It did the same to me on a couple occasions.
Inspiring!
And yea when the commercial comes on double click it, it will open a new tab, exit that tab and press play on the video and your good. Worked for me.
I had the same problem until I followed the link and watched it there. Seems to be a problem with the embedding, at least in Chrome.
Cool movie. Does not happen too often when briliant, smart guy has such a strong self confidence and actor’s tallent to enjoy of beeing a public asshole. Clearly he is not an asshole at all but he loves beeing hated as much as beeing loved – any strong feeling is good, ignorance is deadly.
Off topic question: what do you guys read/watch (related to soccer or sport in general)? Anything in particular you would recommend? I am not talking necessary about books/videos on “how to coach” but just in general what you enjoyed the most in this field.
I have a lot of respect for him as a coach and my opinion softened a bit after watching his “Football for Kids” show on GolTV, but I still would not go so far as to say “he is not an asshole at all.”
Sometimes he really is an asshole: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eEMR2lMirMM
Ahhhh. That was funny. It looked like he pinched his cheek or pulled his ear. It was kinda great that he did it among all the pushing and quarreling. Probably found the whole thing amusing.
What? He knew Tito was going to be the next manager. Had to get him before he started.
The contrast between him and almost every other coach in American sports is pretty evident. Sports news in this country is lame. I know why football does so well, it can be edited into 10 second “plays” that are repeated over and over in 4 different angles. You can take a 4 hour game and edit it down into 30 minutes and probably watch every single play. The sports channels love it. I’m growing to hate it.
Although not specifically in thectheme of this post this article is veryvapplicable to this blog:
http://www.martiperarnau.com/historias/retratos/iniesta-y-xavi-el-catalogo-de-la-inteligencia/
“When I said I would rather see world champions England or Germany instead of the Brazil 1970 was because these two teams saw the example of discipline, teamwork, rhythm, operating. I thought the win would be detrimental Brazil as an example, because it would be the prize for indiscipline, lack of work, football without organization. But Zagallo deceived me. I think I looked at work. But no raw materials, no human value, the work is limited in scope. My fear was that the triumph of quality player, inspiration, genius, were imposed above systems, the preparation and the laboratory “(1970).
Osvaldo Zubeldia
Old debates 🙂
“Zubeldía was a harbinger of tactical changes; he was the first manager to thoroughly research rival team’s tactics and playing style. Pre-planned plays off free kicks and tactical fouls to stop rival advances were highly criticized at the time, but have since been adopted by virtually every team in the world. So are other practices, like the offside trap (having the defense step forward in sync to force opposing players into an offside position) and using screens at corner shots.”
Mourinho’s football spiritual grandpa??
This debate reminded me of another classic:
Clough & Revie
Part 1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yJHvg5c7vPE
Part 2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7MPwJlqmyJM
The epic finale
Clough & Revie
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VfKm12SJwJY
Old debates… 🙂
Why is Mou so endeared in England?
They were missing this. A one man show manager that delivers results:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oqAZsoF-ghw
Nuno, you’re intriguing. Are you some sort of soccer historian? Are you coaching?
Tell us about yourself.
Just an aficionado of the game. Grew up playing and watching on a strong futebol culture. Now coach youth in a non traditional soccer environment. Trying to keep learning, adjusting to reality, enjoying the game and making a difference.
“…that’s was not because of football players, that’s wall because of tactics..”
Malcolm Allison, another classic character of the English game and a coach ahead of his time:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mjH5TPs423E&list=UUYY84zkoTmKJSNPzfkOOcAQ&index=2
Leeds were very cynical bunch…but Cloughie was a gem..how about this one it doesnt get better!
clough vs ali
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m-Glr_pdPF0
Barca almost hired Mo, but decided on Pep. Some excerpts from the book “Barca”:
“Jose, the problem we have with you is that you push the media too much. There is too much aggression. The coach is the image of the club. Three times a week, talking to the media for an hour, talking for the club, you cannot start fires everywhere . . . .” He said “I know, but that’s my style and I will not change.”
Mourinho was renowned to be No. 1 and he was first class at pitching himself — but he wouldn’t listen. That was the key [to Barca interviewres]. The Portuguese didn’t hear the warning signs when told of the board’s insistence that he renounce his love of the polemic.
“ . . . we left Lisbon with . . . principal fears confirmed – Mourinho’s attitudes were inappropriate . . . wracked with concerns.”
“Begiristain couldn’t imagine Mourinho understanding that the club didn’t want or need outbursts in the media two or three times a week.
During Mourinho’s interview with Barca, he “spoke 90 per cent of the time and didn’t listen.”
On not hiring him, “Mourinho would do well, but the number of fires he would cause internally, and with the media, are not worth it.”
“Mourinho is a bit poisoned by the fact that he was rejected [by Barca].”
“None of them regret the decision to reject him; all of htem look at the way he acted between summer 2010 and August 2011 and shudder with relief that he wasn’t doing that as Barca coach.”
Above excerpts are funny in that Mou is going through rough spot with Madrid. Win and everyone loves or tolerates him. Lose and he becomes loud-mouthed, arrogant qickly and wears thin. If Madrid don’t win La Liga (seems likely they will the third), and poor showing for CL — papers like Marca will be pushing for the exit. And three years from how, Man City, Manchester United or some other team will be questioning their appointment of The Special One.
In modern times Mourinho is the special one. Still feel Ferguson is his equal, another manager who could go anywhere and win.
Clough was the ultimate though, not necessarily the best manager, but honest, straight to the point, passionate, clever, witty, funny, determined, faithful, trustworthy etc etc. Clough did it at Derby and Nottinghma Forest, both small clubs before he went there.
The video doesn’t make it clear, but does anyone know if Jose coached at the youth academy or developmental levels or did he simply work his way in as a translator?
Regardless he has to be deemed as one of the top 5 coaches next to guardiola, ferguson, del bosque
He was at Barca at one time and similar to Villas-Boas in that he was an excellent scout and eye for technical. I recall reading he was also a player but never had the skills for top level. Saw a picture somewhere of him playing for a 2nd or 3rd division side.
Mou has been a futebol guy all his life…he has done it all..he is quite a complete package…but it seems some people get distracted by his buffoon public persona side and fail to fully grasp the depth of his skills and the substance behind it all…”style” might be a legit point..I it comes down to personal sensibilities…one of those fascinating debates for the ages
Interesting stuff! Everyone can learn from him. At the end of the day I still don’t like Jose. For me a person should have something beyond just winning that they are coaching or playing for. Even if you win a lot, what impact did you leave behind. Jose will have a legacy cause he wins and coaches will follow this legacy by bending the rules as far they can and using whatever tactics (good, bad, evil) necessary to win. Brillant man, not my hero.
“It’s tough to speak up. It can be career suicide, or at the very least cause one all kinds of headaches.
Could you imagine someone in the mass public eye saying something as direct as that? Mourinho doesn’t give a shit and speaks freely sometimes. Look at the crap he gets from everyone.”
My goodness.
How do you dig up what I’ve said in the past so quickly?
I’m learning from the true master youth coach in America!
Not a true master at all!
We’re simply working as hard as we can for as long as we can. There’s a lot we don’t know. Promise.
It’s ok to be the “special” one in America. We will never know everything. Believe it.
If you dare say yourself “special”, the masses (each of which also thinks they are special by the way, but dare not say it) become outraged.
This is an artifact of socio-economic and political forces. All of which push us towards obedient invisible mediocrity. Robots!
Spent 3 days at a DOC course with a room full of robots. Although I was inundated with what seems to be good information I need to come here for therapy. It’s very difficult to speak up and be different. The need to belong is my illness.
Agree. I will put good money he is in EPL come June. Lots of bad feelings in his wake at Madrid. Same was true for Chelsea and Inter. WIll be same for Man City or Man United in a few years if he goes there. More to a person than winning. The poke in Tito’s eye says it all for me. He’s an arse of highest order an arrogant SOB. Once he starts losing, he will be hated more. What a loss yesterday to Celta Vigo! His days are numbered at RM. Not been a good year for him in CL or La Liga and Marca turning on him. Bad showing at Copa del Rey or CL and they will be calling for his head. And he’ll blame FIFA, refs, and whomever when RM is ousted from CL or Copa. Probably poke an eye or two.
The Special One looking a bit tarnished after draw with worst La Liga side. He’s a cancer I tell you. Partly why he moves about every 2-3 years. Wears out welcome. Something is wrong at RMA and Mou is letting off the stink! He’ll win at Man U or Man City, but wait a few years and he wears thin. La Liga is over, PSG rumors and cash about. I”m sure with season lost, more losses and draws will come, and so will the public bickering from Mo. Watch out for him losing it.
While I am not a big fan of Mou, I have to admit that he is one of the best coaches in recent history.
He defies a lot of the beliefs people hold as “tru” (including participants in this blog).
He has proven that you can become the best coach in the world without having being an elite footballer (or a footballer at all); he’s a student of the sport turned coach
He has proven that you can win games with a direct approach, coutering, and with pivotes and trivotes against tiki-taka
I think he is a bit over his head in Spain, I hate him, but he’s still great.
This is a hard subject…who is great? the one that has a small team and surprises a league? Or the one that has a Team with HUGE names and still makes them play well…Ferguson, everyone says he is great, but could he coach somewhere else in the world? he is used to get everything he wants…Could he coach and make AC Milan great?, or In Spain make Espanyol win La Liga? Could Mourinho coach Atletico de Madrid and make them win la Liga?? Same with Guardiola, could Pep, coach in England and win it all? This things are hard things to answer, that is way ids better to sit back and enjoy the ride, otherwise we will be bitter for ever!! HAHAHA
“but soccer has an universal language” some might say…But then you have Ericsson’s attempt coaching the MExican national team, and being one of the worst performances in the History of Mexico, so who was the bad one? Ericsson? But he coached England??!!! So many things I still don’t understand about this beautiful game 🙂
Coaching is about managing personalities and connecting with the players. You see it at the professional levels all the time. Effective managers are able to make individuals work as a team not just for themselves. You can’t simply transplant a person from one environment into another and expect them to perform. The world seems to have unrealistic expectations of humans…watching too much Superman.
Mou’s travails are the most potent proof that soccer has truly evolved into possession. I think he is fantastic and the perfect leader of the throw backs who really hate Barcelona/Spain/Possession. If Mou cannot beat it then nobody can. It is for real. It is fun to watch to him fail more the more he tries. It will be even more fun to watch him pick himself up and reinvent possession, but this time with world player not just Catalonians, or those brain-washed to think they are. I am curious if possession translates, honestly. You see many teams dabbling but none seem to buy in like Barca. Is it something cultural? Mou is in a unique position, having so much soccer resource, being so close to the fire and getting repeatedly burned by possession (this year by a new coach). He has to wonder if and how he would do it himself. It must drive him crazy every day of his life to be beaten by a system, not players or a coach. Interesting times we live in.
Instead of bowing at the altar of Mourinho (solely due to trophies), we should be thankful we have a coach like Tito Villanova. Stupid Mourinho childishly and cowardly poked him (from behind nonetheless) in the eye shortly after recovering from surgery for cancerous tumor in his mouth. Now news of a relapse by Tito and future uncertain. Through the last two years, Tito has been a gentleman. A quiet professional. Dignified. Bravo for Barca Board of Directors seeing his qualities and sticking to the club’s policy of Mes Que un Club by not hiring Mourinho.
Gary, thanks for sharing this, I already used a couple of things I saw in that video with success. I really don’t give a shit if he wears a white hat or a black hat. I think the most important thing is can we learn from him and improve ourselves. I’m far from a master and as far as soccer goes, I will steal shamelessly. Modeling success is a great way to learn. I don’t plan on poking anybody in the eye, but Mourinho is a master motivator and I will definitely employ some of his tactics.
The self proclaimed Special One is looking a bit ordinary. Not only did he poke Tito shortly after his first cancer surgery, he was an asshole to Pelligrini. See below from Marca:
He was labeled a fool. Hapless. Insufficient. Many other demeaning characteristics were stuck to the good name of Manuel Pellegrini, much of it unfairly. Through it all, the Chilean held his head high and his tongue in check. Now, two and a half years after getting dumped as Madrid manager, Pellegrini may have very well doomed his replacement, Jose Mourinho, after Málaga’s 3-2 win over Madrid on Saturday at the Rosaleda.
In his lone season at the helm of ‘Los Blancos’, in 2009-2010, Pellegrini’s side earned more points than Mourinho did in his first season. But that did little to garner respect, especially from the Portuguese boss himself. “If Madrid fired me, I’d go back to England to coach a big club, not be the manager at Málaga”, Mourinho mused once.
It was a direct shot at the Pellegrini, who in turn, refused to be drawn into such childish vitriol. Instead, like always, his focused remained on the pitch. That is an attitude that served the Andalusian club well this week in light of UEFA’s suspension of Málaga from European competition. Amid the distraction, Pellegrini kept his men on the task at hand, and it paid off with victory.
Good luck in England “Special One”. Some stupid ass team will hire you. Short term winning exchanged for a childish punk. Karma Jose, karma.
Great to hear from you Audley…please share your thoughts with us next time Mou wins another national title or CL, would you?
From marca.com
The captains informed Florentino that several players would demand to be transferred if the Portuguese manager continues.
On Tuesday, just after 14:00h at the headquarters of ACS in Madrid, Florentino Perez meets with José Ángel Sánchez, Iker Casillas and Sergio Ramos. President, general manager, and the two captains of Real Madrid. (Rest of story can be found on above link.)
Mou is a ass, but winning covered up his divisive personality. He got away with an eye poke because he was in midst of overseeing Madrid’s 100+ point season. It’s a fine line. Not only is he losing on the pitch, he lost the dressing room because of his “I’m bigger than the club attitudde”. Barca was smart to not go for him.
I’m sure Mou will end up elsewhere, but honeymoon will end quickly. Like marrying a beautiful lady with a crap attitude, always moaning. It gets old and the looks only keep you happy for so long.
Talking shit is a death sentence. I’ve learned the hard way. It’s much easier not to stand out. Coach has to be nice to everyone to stick around.