The Mourinho Thread: Should he stay or go? | Sacked

[wc18]

It's so easy to see right through jose. I mean don't get me wrong if I had alienated and lost the trust of the fans, players, and club the way he has for the past few months I would do exactly the same.

Starts to change the narrative by very noticeably hugging Shaw after getting hammered by tottenham. He sees Shaw is playing well when actually given a chance and tries to make it look like he's always been behind him when the opposite has been true. Beat a terrible burnley team and starts fist pumping and giving his jacket away to fans, I guess to try to get them back on his side. To me there is no one more fake than Jose. Never liked the guy, he's only interested in himself. he doesn't care about united at all

 

[Jim Beam]

He's politicking like crazy and has convinced some fans it's all Ed's fault. We know Ed is not blameless in some things, but to say Ed hasn't supported him is ludicrous. As his employer he has every right to demand that he do better with the resources at hand.

That's all on Ed. Jose said he expected two or just one signing before the end of the window and after it was obvious we won't sign anyone he didn't say a thing until that "briefing" went out.

To this day, I still can't and refuse to believe that was an actual briefing from Ed as I can't for the love of God understand why any sane person would let that in the media thinking it's a good idea. If he really did let it in the news then we have a much bigger problem than Jose from whichever stance you look at it. And he is not his employer, they are both United employers. The fact he excels in a marketing department doesn't exclude him in any way from the blame in terms of success on the pitch, as that's clearly part of his responsibility also.

 

[Andersons Dietician]

The best for the club would be to.... win the biggest and most prestigious trophy available? If anything the poster is putting personal bias ahead of what is best for the club.

He’s really not, and if people can’t see that then that is fine. Are you insinuating it’s just a hatred of Jose being the only reason?

 

[Joseunited]

The football was better yesterday, I can't deny that, we should have really put Burnley to the sword.If that is the direction we intend going then I would be a happy man.

 

[SirAF]

He’s really not, and if people can’t see that then that is fine. Are you insinuating it’s just a hatred of Jose being the only reason?

Yes, just keep an eye on the poster and you’ll notice it.

 

[King Kana]

He’s really not, and if people can’t see that then that is fine. Are you insinuating it’s just a hatred of Jose being the only reason?

He said as much in his post. Did you even read it? Or are you just blindly defending someone cos they are having a pop at your manager?

 

[haram]

It's so easy to see right through jose. I mean don't get me wrong if I had alienated and lost the trust of the fans, players, and club the way he has for the past few months I would do exactly the same.

Starts to change the narrative by very noticeably hugging Shaw after getting hammered by tottenham. He sees Shaw is playing well when actually given a chance and tries to make it look like he's always been behind him when the opposite has been true. Beat a terrible burnley team and starts fist pumping and giving his jacket away to fans, I guess to try to get them back on his side. To me there is no one more fake than Jose. Never liked the guy, he's only interested in himself. he doesn't care about united at all

Except the fans are singing his name. The players are playing for him. Also, Shaw was saying good things about Jose before the season started. It is the media who is trying to turn everyone against Jose and Jose is fighting back.

 

[Random Task]

Yes, just keep an eye on the poster and you’ll notice it.

I think the poster above meant to imply that no amount of trophies (including the CL) will make the god-awful football on display acceptable.

 

[haram]

I think the poster above meant to imply that no amount of trophies (including the CL) will make the god-awful football on display acceptable.

I would like to see someone say that if we actually lifted the CL.

 

[SirAF]

I would like to see someone say that if we actually lifted the CL.

This.

 

[Major]

Mourinho has really played his cards well this time around. Gone on a massive charm offensive after how the Brighton game went down( defensive feck ups) and now the pressure is well on Woodward and the board.

Reasons why he will keep his job and Woodward can do feck all about it unless a proper nosedive ala Chelsea 3rd season:

1. Woodward's briefing after vetoing his targets, citing 100mil for Varane types when no top team will sell their defender of such quality.

2. Achieved a “blessing in disguise" result and performance at Brighton from the defenders Woodward told him to make do with. Fans start raising eyebrows at Woodward at this point.

3. Mourinho notices this and gives the fans what they've been craving for, open attacking football while playing the other two defenders at his disposal. Results go badly with one of his targets coincidentally playing well.

4. Tottenham results raised further eyebrows, esp after how the team played with the general consensus becoming “if only Woodward had bought Mourinho his defender".

5. Mourinho further deepens this thoughts with qoutes like, “from the tactical point of view(his tactics) we did not lose" and “the fans are the better judges". Further shifting the blame unto Woodward. He has taken full advantage of the already fractured relationship between United fans and the board. this time not seeking approval from the board as at Chelsea or Madrid but alligning with the fans knowing fully well the power they hold at Old Trafford. He's started doing things he's never done before after two full years at the club, applauding the strefford end after a 3:0 hammering when the Mourinho we know would have walked down the tunnel before the final whistle. Sitting with the disabled (which I genuinely don't get the fuss about. they are humans not some aliens from from a portal below the sea).

Full on charm offensive which appears to be working as things are going. All he has to do is hope the results keep going his way, stabilize the ship and keep United in or around the top 4 places until January and the board will have no other choice than to fully back him in the window, even if he wants John Terry on a free.

He is a master tactician, and this season so far he's proven to be a master of the mind more than on the pitch.

 

[Grylte]

I have voted yes, but honestly, i'm not sure there are anyone who can take over for him and do better.
The last couple matches have, except for the result vs Spurs, been better.

 

[Jazz]

Woodward is a prick. He works for the Glazers who want one thing and that is to make money. They don't care if the team wins the league or not, they are in it to benefit financially.
They don't buy players unless they fit a sell on mould or a marketing mould. If we needed someone eg Alderwiereld, he fits neither mould thats why he wasn't bought, Perisic. They suck the life out the club for money and always will, yes they invest, but only in investments that are good for the pocket.

£400M is stingy. Dear God.
How many managers would love for their 'stingy' bosses to give them £400M. Of course the Glazers want to make money - it's a fecking business as well! If you own something don't you want to make a profit? United isn't a charity. That's just reality.

Did he need Alderwiereld to change his approach to the game? Apparently not, as evident by the team trying to play on the front foot in the last game and in the first half vs Spurs.

Also please note, Alderwiereld did not help Spurs overcome Watford on the weekend.

Sure the board needs a football man there to help with transfers etc, and of course they've made mistakes, but that does not excuse Jose's pathetic performance thus far with £400M spent and a £15M a year salary.
For you to blame the board over one transfer they didn't get him after all the other players they brought him for him, is totally unfair.

 

[Major]

As ever, no Mourinho fan, but wasn't he shushing the press?

Yep I think that ‘shush’ was for the media.
Which makes his recent comments about other prem managers putting their ‘faces in the camera' more ironical. That's clear face in cam shite right there.

 

[Random Task]

I would like to see someone say that if we actually lifted the CL.

Indeed. United are in the business of winning trophies and they don't come more prestigeous than the CL.

The vast majority of our fanbase will be more than content to support Jose if he gets the club winning football matches consistently and accumulating trophies in the process, the sleep-inducing football on display will be considered as an unfortunate by-product but ultimately acceptable given the success it brings the club. I'm sure there are a great many RM, Chelsea and Juve fans that can testify to that.

But should the above fail to materialize and we continue to perform inconsistently, stuttering our way to 4th place or worse, then the horrible football is unacceptable. Surely the 'Jose in' brigade can understand that - in the spirit of objectivity and all that.

 

[Ban]

Some of the agendas here are out of this world. Especially one poster.

 

[Ban]

Those pundits are taking turns in shitting on him, it's becoming mental.

 

[Borden]

Agendas...

Agendas everywhere.

 

[The United]

So when we lost a game, it was well only one game, two games or 3rd game of the season etc.

And, when we won a game against pretty shit team, suddenly, Jose will turn around. Not just one game or two games anymore.

Signs are good that we are trying to play active style of football in last 2 games. It will make sure fans will have more patience for the manager and the team.

But whether it will be good enough or not? We will have to judge it as a whole season. For that, I would give him a full season then decide at the end of the season. Unless of course we are hovering around at the bottom of the league in December.

 

[Jim Beam]

He's started doing things he's never done before after two full years at the club, applauding the strefford end after a 3:0 hammering when the Mourinho we know would have walked down the tunnel before the final whistle. Sitting with the disabled (which I genuinely don't get the fuss about. they are humans not some aliens from from a portal below the sea).

Full on charm offensive which appears to be working as things are going. All he has to do is hope the results keep going his way, stabilize the ship and keep United in or around the top 4 places until January and the board will have no other choice than to fully back him in the window, even if he wants John Terry on a free.

He is a master tactician, and this season so far he's proven to be a master of the mind more than on the pitch.

What the actual feck? So, sitting with the disabled is a part of his master plan to keep fans by his side? Won't even comment on your opinion about people with such condition.

Piss off.

 

[I Am Zlatan]

I feel like many people seem to put the blame on either Mourinho or Ed, to me, they’re both at fault, but definitely more of Ed’s fault.

Sure with the players we have we should be playing better, sure Ed is doing a great job with sponsorships and generating money, sure we invested heavily in the transfer market except this one of course, but Ed is the man who hired Mourinho, he’s the one who gave him a contract extension, he’s the one who didn’t back him in the market, everyone knows Mourinho’s style of play, everyone know the type of players Mourinho wants, when he’s hired, Ed should’ve expect this!

True Mourinho can do better with the players we have and sure he should’ve asked for a better CB than Lindelof, but he’s not the only one to blame, besides we came second last year to a great city team.

Like many said, why hire/extend if you’re not going to back the manager and sign the players he want, we’d be a much better team in my opinion with Perisic/Willian and Alderwiereld.

 

[Kemizee]

We've had 2 years of pretty awful football under him.. And I keep thinking he should be doing better with the players he has.. I mean, Martial, Rashford, Mata, Sanchez, Lingard, Lukaku... Can a cohesive, dangerous attack really not be created from this lot?

And are our defenders really as bad as they seem? I dunno, I just don't see it. I see a backline of experienced internationals, but they look like pub players sometimes.

And the midfield is jam packed with quality now. Pogba, Matic, Fred (who really looks a player), Herrera...

He should be doing better. And maybe I should be calling for him to go.. And perhaps it would be good for him to go if there was a top replacement being lined up. But I like him. He knows his stuff. We're not winning anything this season regardless of what happens, so he should get at least until December, and if it's still a shambles I'm sure he'll move on. But I don't think it will be a shambles.

You are being kind with words concerning the bolded part.

Our defenders are atrocious. Diabolical if I am being honest. Jones and Smalling have been displaying egregious, shambolic performances since 2011 and they were our 2 starting CBs in out most important game this season( Spurs). Rojo signed a contract extension last year but is barely fit (same goes for Jones). Lindelof is still new and has a lot to learn.

Bailly has the highest potential of them all. It's unfortunate his brain deserts him during some critical moments and he ends up appearing like a circus jester.

I guess there is no need to waste any words on Valencia and Young.

Only Luke Shaw is a bit competent at the moment. The rest have one question mark or the other on them.

If Mourinho cannot sort out any defence considering he is a master of that area of a team, that should tell you all you need to know about our current lot

 

[sunama]

I thought the guy was a goner and that we needed widescale changes (still think we do), but if there is anyone who can turn this around it's him.

Jose is a manager of the highest quality. Because he is already with us, many people can't see this.
If he was a manager of an opponent, when that side comes to OT, most of our fans would be doubting that we can beat Jose's team.
If anybody can turn this ship around, it's him.

I have no issues getting rid of him, but as of now, I don't see any outstanding candidate who can take over.

 

[SirAF]

What the actual feck? So, sitting with the disabled is a part of his master plan to keep fans by his side? Won't even comment on your opinion about people with such condition.

Piss off.

Pretty grim, to be honest.

 

[Fridge chutney]

But whether it will be good enough or not? We will have to judge it as a whole season. For that, I would give him a full season then decide at the end of the season. Unless of course we are hovering around at the bottom of the league in December

Except the fans are singing his name. The players are playing for him. Also, Shaw was saying good things about Jose before the season started. It is the media who is trying to turn everyone against Jose and Jose is fighting back.

True. Good points. Furthermore it will take time for the ideas of Carrick and McKenna to take hold in the squad in the context of a relatively different coaching set-up. Signs are good so far, but let's see where we are in 8 months.

 

[RedSky]

I feel like many people seem to put the blame on either Mourinho or Ed, to me, they’re both at fault, but definitely more of Ed’s fault.

Sure with the players we have we should be playing better, sure Ed is doing a great job with sponsorships and generating money, sure we invested heavily in the transfer market except this one of course, but Ed is the man who hired Mourinho, he’s the one who gave him a contract extension, he’s the one who didn’t back him in the market, everyone knows Mourinho’s style of play, everyone know the type of players Mourinho wants, when he’s hired, Ed should’ve expect this!

True Mourinho can do better with the players we have and sure he should’ve asked for a better CB than Lindelof, but he’s not the only one to blame, besides we came second last year to a great city team.

Like many said, why hire/extend if you’re not going to back the manager and sign the players he want, we’d be a much better team in my opinion with Perisic/Willian and Alderwiereld.

Well, Ed gave him a contract extension when everything was great. Since then we've been stumbling.

Perisic - Agreed, probably should have tried again this Summer. But very few stories in the media linked us with him this year so can only assume he was written off.
Willian - He only wanted to leave while Conte was in charge and was happy with his role under Sarri. Chelsea didn't want to sell.
Alderwiereld - Despite contract issues Spurs didn't want to sell unless for big, big money. The board deemed it not worth buying for that sum.

The question is why we didn't go for option B, C etc after it seemed obvious the above weren't going to happen. Fred seemed to be pretty high up on our priority list and we got that sorted straight away so obviously when both clubs are willing to sell things go fast and smoothly.

 

[Fridge chutney]

Alderwiereld - Despite contract issues Spurs didn't want to sell unless for big, big money. The board deemed it not worth buying for that sum.

I think we'll still sign Alderwereld but it will be for a very reduced fee or on a free. It's hard to justify paying a 50M 1 year premium when he can walk soon.

 

[RedSky]

I think we'll still sign Alderwereld but it will be for a very reduced fee or on a free. It's hard to justify paying a 50M 1 year premium when he can walk soon.

I agree, but I also expect other clubs to be in for him which could make things a bit more tricky.

 

[Major]

What the actual feck? So, sitting with the disabled is a part of his master plan to keep fans by his side? Won't even comment on your opinion about people with such condition.

Piss off.

My opinion of people with disabilities?
well let me tell you....they are not less human as you or me, nor the people Mourinho sits in the dugouts with every match day. That's why it pissed me off with people posting and sharing it on this platform like it's some kind of angelic gesture from Mourinho( similar reactions to a Caucasian sharing a bus seat with an African-American in the 60's). Sorry for the racial reference if anyone finds it offensive.
Aside from the irrelevance of the event itself, has Mourinho ever done that in the two years he's been at United? I'm sure old Trafford has always had a ‘disabled stand' even before Mourinho started coaching, why do that now? Why not when he was first appointed? first match at OT? After winning his first trophy?
Why now when his job seems to be at risk more than any other time in his United career?
If it's not to gather more support from the United faithful then I don't know it is.
Mind you I'll probably do same in his situation. managing United us a great job, who would want to keep it?

 

[Ban]

Does he have even an ounce of humanity? I mean if he's sitting with the disabled just as a move in his war against Woodward..
Mental, just mental.

 

[ivaldo]

Next he'll be donating large sums of money to charity as a finger in the face of Woody. Will the madness never end?

 

[WensleyMU]

I wish there was an option to vote twice. I want him gone. He's divided the fans so much. I now understand when @carvajal explained about the 'Mourinistas' or however it's called at Madrid. They just couldn't find any fault with this man. Completely baffling.
He could win the CL and I want him gone.
He's politicking like crazy and has convinced some fans it's all Ed's fault. We know Ed is not blameless in some things, but to say Ed hasn't supported him is ludicrous. As his employer he has every right to demand that he do better with the resources at hand.

The club is making a mistake keeping him around. The longer it goes on, the more trouble he causes, as he shifts the blame elsewhere.

Let him and his mate Duncan go console themselves elsewhere.

I would like to think you are joking but given the level of pathetic posts around you're probably serious. If Jose won the Champions League here, he would rightly be considered our third greatest manager of all time. Make no doubt about that.

Also, Jose hasn't done a single thing to convince a single fan that its Ed Woodwards fault. Ed is capable of that all by himself with his "can we stick their face on a tea towel and sell it for £20" approach to the market.

 

[I Am Zlatan]

Well, Ed gave him a contract extension when everything was great. Since then we've been stumbling.

Perisic - Agreed, probably should have tried again this Summer. But very few stories in the media linked us with him this year so can only assume he was written off.
Willian - He only wanted to leave while Conte was in charge and was happy with his role under Sarri. Chelsea didn't want to sell.
Alderwiereld - Despite contract issues Spurs didn't want to sell unless for big, big money. The board deemed it not worth buying for that sum.

The question is why we didn't go for option B, C etc after it seemed obvious the above weren't going to happen. Fred seemed to be pretty high up on our priority list and we got that sorted straight away so obviously when both clubs are willing to sell things go fast and smoothly.

I think the style of play is been pretty much the same since Mourinho joined bar the past 2 matches, and a lot of people complaining about the style of play, sure we had a patch of bad form after the extension but we stayed content with the style of play.

As far as the players

Alderwiereld’s price was definitely high and spurs are hard to deal with, but also everyone bump the players prices up when we come knocking, it’s something we have to live with, people think the players we were linked with had a higher price tag than what they’re worth, I think if we were to get better players, their prices will get bumped up even higher.

Willian said he would like to work with Mourinho some day or something along those lines, I think if we pushed for him, we probably would’ve gotten him.

But I totally agree with you as far as why we didn’t go for options B, and C, the blame has to fall on Ed for that, I would imagine Moutinho had backup options, I would’ve taken Maguire and probably Mahrez had an agreement with city since last year, but I would’ve tried, it would’ve unsettled both of them, one thing though Mourinho said he was done with strikers after Sanchez, so I wouldn’t totally put the blame on Ed, but from what I see Ed sees himself as a football man, so he should’ve addressed the RW situation maybe?

 

[hn4manunited]

I hear quite a number of mentions of Jose getting it wrong with Bailly and Lindelof. I disagree. If you take into account a rebuilding project and him being asked to work with what he’s got, Ed making decision on who José gets, José naturally will be getting backups and young players who are not ready now. This is considering how Ed has come out and said he would spend big on big names or the others are not better than who we have. Hence, these are buys as backups for our senior starters in defense and also for future.

Jose’s blueprint on building a winning side is usually made up of ready to compete players. These are not his typical targets. He does not buy young and not quite ready players to replace first teamers. To me these two signings were very obvious backups, players for future, and/or players with skill set that could provide options to our defense.

My suspicion is that the pressure José has gotten since those acquisitions has gotten José to rethink the original thesis of this project. He was never going to get the time and/or patience from the board, the fans, and media that he thought he will have coming here at first when he was offered the project.

Having said all that, I still don’t think Bailly and Lindelof have been as bad as people have said. I have been pleased with how they have contributed overall.

 

[Sky1981]

I hear quite a number of mentions of Jose getting it wrong with Bailly and Lindelof. I disagree. If you take into account a rebuilding project and him being asked to work with what he’s got, Ed making decision on who José gets, José naturally will be getting backups and young players who are not ready now. This is considering how Ed has come out and said he would spend big on big names or the others are not better than who we have. Hence, these are buys as backups for our senior starters in defense and also for future.

Jose’s blueprint on building a winning side is usually made up of ready to compete players. These are not his typical targets. He does not buy young and not quite ready players to replace first teamers. To me these two signings were very obvious backups, players for future, and/or players with skill set that could provide options to our defense.

My suspicion is that the pressure José has gotten since those acquisitions has gotten José to rethink the original thesis of this project. He was never going to get the time and/or patience from the board, the fans, and media that he thought he will have coming here at first when he was offered the project.

For a guy like jose rebuilding is a 2 years job maximum i concur.

He doesnt think beyond 5 years. He'll either make it or get the boots if he needs 5 years.

Alot of ifs and buts are unknown to us. But in baily and lindelof case maybe jose got it wrong. He's human after all. Maybe they're just not ready. Maybe they'll be vidic and rio in 3 years time. Maybe they are already a very good player on a purple patch. Or maybe brighton are jusr once in a bluemoon fecked up.

Only time will tell.

 

[SirAF]

 

[VP89]

It's his 3rd season and he's lost the dressing room.

I don't care for these shitty sources damnit.

 

[Sky1981]

Jose is a manager of the highest quality. Because he is already with us, many people can't see this.
If he was a manager of an opponent, when that side comes to OT, most of our fans would be doubting that we can beat Jose's team.
If anybody can turn this ship around, it's him.

I have no issues getting rid of him, but as of now, I don't see any outstanding candidate who can take over.

Many fans refused to see the only objectivity tangible progress we had. Finishing 2nd losing to a record breaking city.

They want to push the reset button thinking the next manager would instantly get us to 1st within a year or two with the same squad, while playing beaufitul football at the same time.

The next manager wont make valencia and young becoming cafu and carlos. Neither the next manager would make pogba a keane. Or lukaku to be rvn in a season.

We're not quite there because a lot of factors but mainly our squad isn't world class enough to topple city.

I really doubt a new manager would take us to the promised land. And there are real danger of actually going worse than jose.

If our players can't respect jose mourinho i doubt they'll appreciate being coached by a lesser know manager. Let alone some rookie.

I also don't believe ed will be 1000 percent more supportive towards the new manager, he'll probably get what jose gets (and that's generous considering jose was a top 3 manager in the world). He'll probably get 100m per season. And i doubt many coach can do better than jose. A bit more pleasing to watch but pts wise... i rrealy doubt it.

I'm not saying there won't be a better manager or the new manager will surely fail, but I'd give 30/70 of the new manager actually perform better than jose, and that's far from a given

 

[Sky1981]

I think the style of play is been pretty much the same since Mourinho joined bar the past 2 matches, and a lot of people complaining about the style of play, sure we had a patch of bad form after the extension but we stayed content with the style of play.

As far as the players

Alderwiereld’s price was definitely high and spurs are hard to deal with, but also everyone bump the players prices up when we come knocking, it’s something we have to live with, people think the players we were linked with had a higher price tag than what they’re worth, I think if we were to get better players, their prices will get bumped up even higher.

Willian said he would like to work with Mourinho some day or something along those lines, I think if we pushed for him, we probably would’ve gotten him.

But I totally agree with you as far as why we didn’t go for options B, and C, the blame has to fall on Ed for that, I would imagine Moutinho had backup options, I would’ve taken Maguire and probably

We could buy virtually any player in the world. We could afford 300m for neymar and 50m salary. But being able to afford it and actually sane enough to do the purchase is another.

I wouldn't blame anyone for not getting toby. Sometimes the price just isn't right and it's not a dig at the board or ed. They've shown that they are not scared to burn the cash if a worthy player comes available. pogba, di maria, mata, lukaku, martial aren't cheap, they may not be a good fit but money wise the board has back the manager.

 

[Acquire Me]

If we play attacking and entertaining football this season, I dont care if we lose some matches. We could even do great things this year if we stick to it. Its a long season and its early days still.

The next manager will benefit as well. To inherit a attacking team is much better imo.

I am all behind the team. Lovely to see the great support yesterday.