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

[Bastian]

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.

I think that's absolutely spot on. If he was given the budget to buy a first XI defender aside from the other players bought, he'd have gotten a leader in there from the get go. Alas, it's a stick now to beat him with.

I think one of Woodward's briefing in August is so telling: "Mourinho has the Europa League, League Cup and last year’s second-place finish on his United résumé but these are not what he was hired to deliver."

To go further than that you have to have a team capable of doing so. Jose has directly and indirectly talked about that since he arrived. Now when the club has been briefing the press against the manager to save face, he's stopped complaining but it doesn't make the underlying issue disappear.

I honestly can't believe how many people want him out here on the Caf.

 

[Andycoleno9]

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

Good post, especially bolded part

 

[reddaz71]

This post is a contradiction.

Woodward is part of the club, just like Mourinho.

Tut Tut, You will be saying am not entitled to an opinion next....

 

[beedoubleyou]

I'm still in the out camp and 2 defeats from the opening four games is clearly unacceptable.

But, you know what?

I'm quite impressed.

I've been impressed with Mourinho's interviews, he's backed players, he's played players who people said would never get a chance and he's been absolutely right to attack the press. They want him dead.

He's showing some fight.

And you know what else? Despite the result, against Spurs he showed some ingenuity and a willingness to evolve.

Now I'm not in the cult of Mourinho, some of you are, quite frankly, insane. If you think the signing of Alderweireld (that's a l d e r w e i r e l d) would have transformed the side, I think you should stick to hiring aeroplanes with the change from your Donald Duck money box.

Walking back on Monday night, my birthday, I was calling him all the names under the sun - my mood hardly lightened by the racial abuse I witnessed in the Stretford End - but, I do think there's maybe some life in the old dog yet.

 

[Adam-Utd]

More performances like Burnley and I’ll be happy for him to stay.

 

[Pogue Mahone]

Bump.

 

[Acquire Me]

More performances like Burnley and I’ll be happy for him to stay.

Good man. And who knows; it could take us all the way to the top.

 

[Robert]

I was there again today and he had 100% of us all behind him and we never stopped singing his name, we all know that if we stick and get behind him he’ll deliver the goods.

Love that. United

 

[Fridge chutney]

Now I'm not in the cult of Mourinho, some of you are, quite frankly, insane. If you think the signing of Alderweireld (that's a l d e r w e i r e l d) would have transformed the side, I think you should stick to hiring aeroplanes with the change from your Donald Duck money box.

I agree with most of your post but this is just hyperbole. Who said that signing a CB would "transform" the side? Signing a solid and experienced CB like Adlerwreidl would strengthen an area of relative weakness, as proven by shipping 6 goals in 2 of the first 3 matches of the season. Transforming us to a peak Ajax is not what most expected with a solid CB signing.

 

[Joseunited]

More performances like Burnley and I’ll be happy for him to stay.

Couldn't agree more,I won't hide that I've been calling for him to go but if he is letting McKenna/Carrick influence the way we play then i'd be happy to see him carry on in the job.We have to go to Watford and carry on from where we left off yesterday.

 

[beedoubleyou]

I agree with most of your post but this is just hyperbole. Who said that signing a CB would "transform" the side? Signing a solid and experienced CB like Adlerwreidl would strengthen an area of relative weakness, as proven by shipping 6 goals in 2 of the first 3 matches of the season. Transforming us to a peak Ajax is not what most expected with a solid CB signing.

I could point to those same defenders GA record from last season, but let's just agree with the bit before what you think is hyperbole.

I'm saying something broadly positive about Mourinho and that's not bad for a Monday.

 

[Mr PG]

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.

Laughable comments here. Lvg was not the problem and neither is JM. Poor dysfunctional squad was never going to be fixed overnight

 

[Buster15]

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.

Spot on. He is who he is and I really do hope that he will make his many critics eat their words.

He has been miserable because he is a winner who knows that the current squad is not likely to make up the 19 point deficit to City.

I am convinced that he decided to change the style of play at the end of last season and knew that the defence needed strengthening to allow this. That is why he was so annoyed with the disruptive pre season.

However, I believe he has come to terms with not getting the players he wanted and is now fully focused on the job in hand.

If he fails then a change is likely but we have to hope/believe (depending on your views) that he will succeed.

 

[Get In Scholesy]

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

I don't care for these shitty sources damnit.

What does Matic know anyways, the Mourinho mouth piece.

 

[Cantonagotmehere]

QUOTE="Robert, post: 23032705, member: 37920"]Love that. United [/QUOTE]

↑
I was there again today and he had 100% of us all behind him and we never stopped singing his name, we all know that if we stick and get behind him he’ll deliver the goods.
Love that. United


Love hearing that. So much better than the dross on this site. I have issues with Jose, but while he is here, he has my full support.

 

[Random Task]

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.

With the exception of the transfer window just gone, the board had invested £100 million+ on transfer expenditure every year since the great man retired. Mourinho has personally spent in excess of £400 million on players who, for the most part, have not been good enough. You can hardly blame the board for holding back the funds to an extent last summer given the circumstances.

This relatively young squad was good enough to finish second behind City last year and reach the FA cup final, I think it's perfectly reasonable to expect them to improve on that this time around or at worst give a repeat of last year. The board clearly feel the same way.

 

[breakout67]

Centre back wouldn't transform us because we didn't need transforming. We were a good team which with 2-3 additions and a bit of tactical variety would be able to get 90+ points.

Not getting a centre back and right winger has basically forced the coaching staff to work miracles this season if they want to win the league, changing the style of play without a change in personell takes time. It happens with virtually every team, it takes a few months at least and usually a whole season to change the system.

 

[Random Task]

Laughable comments here. Lvg was not the problem and neither is JM. Poor dysfunctional squad was never going to be fixed overnight

And how does your reply even relate to my laughable comment?

 

[rotherham_red]

That's all it is though, anectodal. As long as you didn't go around taking polls. Even if it would be true, they are singing Mourinho's name and fully supporting the team, unlike some of the clowns on here.

The fact they are singing his name is irrelevant. I'm Jose out and have been for months but I still sing his name when at games. Likewise I've seen people slate Martial before, during and after games but still sing the Tony Marshall song at full pelt. And don't even get me started on Fellaini...

We support the team, first and foremost. Irrespective of the manager or the players.
The internet and social media lot don't have a clue and are more like customers rather than fans. However, if you think the fans are fully onside with Jose, you're 100% wrong. We support the club through thick and thin, but don't confuse that with acquiescence to the cult of Mourinho. It's only on the internet you'll get melts who are so anti-anyone that they'd be willing to cut off their own nose to spite their face, to the extent that they'd be willing for us to lose if the person they are against is ran out of the club.

 

[Random Task]

Centre back wouldn't transform us because we didn't need transforming. We were a good team which with 2-3 additions and a bit of tactical variety would be able to get 90+ points.

Not getting a centre back and right winger has basically forced the coaching staff to work miracles this season if they want to win the league, changing the style of play without a change in personell takes time. It happens with virtually every team, it takes a few months at least and usually a whole season to change the system.

I agree 100%, but you can't blame the board for being sceptical given that the signings Jose has made thus far have largely been unsuccessful. How much more are they expected to invest in Jose before they pull the plug entirely and begin the search for a new manager (if that is not already the case)?

 

[Jim Beam]

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?

You'll probably do the same in his situation? You mean, like go and hug disabled people to look better and keep your job? That's just brilliant, mate.

Why has he done it? I don't know, maybe someone asked him to, or waved to him. Maybe he felt like it would be a just nice thing to do. I absolutely don't know, but I know the reasons you stated would be absolutely last thing that would cross my mind. It got to that point where absolutely anything he does is painted in a full negative light for some people and this theory tops it, so congrats on that. There was also a popular theory that he was doing everything in his power to get fired just a few days ago, so we can call this even a progress in some sense.

Btw. you got at least one thing right and that would be that the event itself was more or less absolutely irrelevant, especially in terms of judging him and his career at United. If the team doesn't perform for him and doesn't get results he will be out and fired. Standing or not standing in front of Stretford End, hugging or not hugging disabled people, or any other actions with ulterior motives that some of you see with everything he does.

 

[breakout67]

I agree 100%, but you can't blame the board for being sceptical given that the signings Jose has made thus far have largely been unsuccessful. How much more are they expected to invest in Jose before they pull the plug entirely and begin the search for a new manager (if that is not already the case)?

I think the board are quite sensible in their expectations; I think they've told him to work with what he's got and if he maintains the top 4 position he'll be given another extension. Some fans however are not sensible and demand the title no matter what the situation.

 

[SirAF]

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

I don't care for these shitty sources damnit.

 

[carvajal]

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 have not read all the Mourinho threads, but as I said to Raaes the other day, in his thread of relief I do not think that your case is so exaggerated.
In United I think there are people who genuinely and firmly want to maintain what I call "English model", absolute respect for the manager -at least until his dismissal is imminent-,patience,not falling into the games of the press and valuing in the medium term.
Duncan Castles?is he pro Mourinho?

 

[Jonno]

I was there again today and he had 100% of us all behind him and we never stopped singing his name, we all know that if we stick and get behind him he’ll deliver the goods.

This is brilliant.

What I love is despite all the narratives, agendas and criticism in the media and on Red Café, the Stretford End last week and the United away this weekend shut everybody up by showing undisputed support. It was brilliant to watch and I was incredibly jealous I couldn't be in the away end at the weekend.

 

[Fridge chutney]

I could point to those same defenders GA record from last season, but let's just agree with the bit before what you think is hyperbole.

I'm saying something broadly positive about Mourinho and that's not bad for a Monday.

The bold is irrelevant to my point. You were talking about Donald duck planes and hypothetical arguments about CBs leading to widespread transformation. I'm just pointing out that very few people (if any) think that way so your argument is a bit of a strawman.

 

[b20times]

I think Sunday was the moment us and jose bonded. That reaction and reception at the final whistle bridged a huge gap between the pair of us.

Was a joy to see.

 

[Janson]

The fact they are singing his name is irrelevant. I'm Jose out and have been for months but I still sing his name when at games. Likewise I've seen people slate Martial before, during and after games but still sing the Tony Marshall song at full pelt. And don't even get me started on Fellaini...

We support the team, first and foremost. Irrespective of the manager or the players.
The internet and social media lot don't have a clue and are more like customers rather than fans. However, if you think the fans are fully onside with Jose, you're 100% wrong. We support the club through thick and thin, but don't confuse that with acquiescence to the cult of Mourinho. It's only on the internet you'll get melts who are so anti-anyone that they'd be willing to cut off their own nose to spite their face, to the extent that they'd be willing for us to lose if the person they are against is ran out of the club.

That's exactly what I'm saying though. I'ts alright to be against him but fans still need to support the team. It's the people who don't have a single positive thing to say about the team, even when we're playing well and winning, that I have a problem with. And as you say, those who are wishing us to lose.

I'm not saying I think they are 100% for Jose though. But it's likely not true either that all or most of match going fans are against him. That's why I pointed out that your story is anecdotal. You can't know the stance of all the fans, like I said. It's most likely that there are both for and against, and as you said, it's a mix of Jose, the board and the players who get the blame.

I don't really care though, as long as our fans are supporting the team and not making things even more difficult by creating a bad atmosphere.

 

[Greck]

Mourinho: "They say I'm in danger, but I don't think it. If they send me away, do you have any idea how much money they would have to give me?"

Goes back to that hasty contract extension that massively inflated any compensation he would receive. Woodward fully deserves to be taunted for that.

 

[endless_wheelies]

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.

Was that deliberate irony or...?

 

[Jonno]

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.

Newcastle United are playing god awful football. We are watching average football, but it's not god-awful by any means.

 

[Jonno]

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.

I know yeah, that 81 point finish in 2nd place was a frickin grenade thrown at United fans. Disgusting. He should be getting 105 points and beating City to the title.

White text

 

[C'est Moi Cantona]

He's certainly displaying some odd behaviour atm, as are his team, but at least it shows he is willing fight for his job, and perhaps even change his ways, I'm just waiting for his next move now..

 

[Mainoldo]

I know yeah, that 81 point finish in 2nd place was a frickin grenade thrown at United fans. Disgusting. He should be getting 105 points and beating City to the title.

How we’ve turned so easily pleased. We applaud not winning the league. There as a time we was angry for losing the league on flipping goal difference.

 

[Greek9]

How we’ve turned so easily pleased. We applaud not winning the league. There as a time we was angry for losing the league on flipping goal difference.

Given that the last 2 coaches before Mourinho transformed the team into a joke you don't have the right to talk as if the next coach would magically certainly make this squad a title winning one.

 

[Bobski]

He has done an amazing job in the last couple of weeks, with the groundwork of his whinging all summer, to shift the blame and responsibility to Woodward and away from himself. Quite remarkable that £400 million and one of the highest wage bills in Europe is now being considered not being backed. That team selection against Spurs, with Herrera at CB, it was win-win, play more expansively and win and the fans come onside, lose as we did and Woodward gets embarrassed on a big occasion, Monday night football with all the media concentrating on that game.

Makes me wonder just how bad things are behind the scenes, they are all briefing against each other, but in this environment Woodward can not win. He is a relatively faceless representative of the ownership and by extension authority, Mou has the power of celebrity and stardom, the cult of personality around him, even if Mou is sacked he has set the narrative.

 

[Jonno]

How we’ve turned so easily pleased. We applaud not winning the league. There as a time we was angry for losing the league on flipping goal difference.

Lol. My point exactly. Just because we're Manchester United, you expect us to compete and win every year. Please take a look at the squad Mourinho inherited. A broken squad full of players past their best or simply nowhere near good enough. We still have masses of deadwood in our squad because it's not possible to simply sell everyone and replace them all with better players. It takes time.

Take a look at City's transfer policy this past 5 years, it's excellent. They consistently buy world class players in their early 20's Pep walked in to a world class spine, that was used to winning.

Mourinho took over a fecking awful squad. The worst in my lifetime and I've been a season ticket holder over 10 years and a fan for 25 years.

No spine, no real quality, only 1 world class player in DDG - yet fans like you just throw your toys out of the pram and say "we should win all the time because we're Man United". You need to open your eyes and realise the relativity of the job Mourinho as done.

A squad comprising of Jones Smalling Young Valencia Darmian Schweinsteiger Schneiderlain Fellaini Depay Rooney etc doesn't come close to comparing to the spine of City or even of Spurs.

But no, lets sack every manager who tries to rebuild us.

 

[Pogue Mahone]

Newcastle United are playing god awful football. We are watching average football, but it's not god-awful by any means.

It’s not even been consistently bad to watch under Mourinho. In his first season we played a lot of nice attacking football but were hamstrung by our terrible conversion of chances. That and not getting the points we needed against the big teams. In his second season we started off ok. We only lost our attacking mojo after Christmas when we struggled to bed in Sanchez (and/or Martial and Pogba lost their way - for whatever reason)

That’s one thing I’ve found very unfair about the Mourinho criticism. This idea that we’ve been playing constant shit on a stick football, throughout his reign. That happened with the previous manager, but not Mourinho. He’s definitely been very (arguably too) conservative in our toughest away fixtures but we’ve generally showed loads of attacking intent in all our winnable game, bar a grim two or three months at the end of his second season. So far this season we’ve defended terribly but we’ve showed loads of ambition going forwards. So the “god-awful football” complaints really have to stop.

 

[Smores]

How we’ve turned so easily pleased. We applaud not winning the league. There as a time we was angry for losing the league on flipping goal difference.

Maybe the glory supporters were angry, the rest of us were just dissapointed.

Effort and improvement are the things football fans of big and small clubs up and down the country celebrate. We're not alone in that or easily pleased by doing so.

 

[Pogue Mahone]

This is an optimistic read. Makes a nice change.