Is Mourinho's coaching style out of date and out of touch?

28 October 2016 10:18

When the "Special One" arrived at Stamford Bridge in 2004, yes it has been 12 years since a fresh- faced darker haired Jose Mourinho had us under his spell when he was first unveiled by Chelsea after winning the Champions League with un-fancied Porto, he was like a breath of fresh air and spiced up the Premier league and British press. Now the freshness has gone.

Mourinho's style of management and coaching is autocratic and regimented. He likes the direct involvement with the players, deploying his football methodology, practicing the exercises, and the development of football ideas. He does not expect any egos or egotistical behavior from his players but only himself.

According to his philosophy possession is not important, winning a football match is more important than playing attractive football. During his spells as manager of Porto and Chelsea Mourinho loved to use 4-5-1 in his football tactics. These tactics relied on strong defensive line-ups and a good holding midfielder, while in attack he deployed a hard-working front man and a goal-scorer in midfield. ?He can be very critical, at Manchester United he potentially risks turning the Old Trafford dressing room against him just a few months into the job. A report claimed the aggressive and 'nasty' nature of his criticism has not been well received by the players.

Naming and shaming them in the press will only get their backs up and he could end up with a dressing room like the one he finished with at Chelsea where the players stopped playing for him and lost that team spirit that had won the league the previous season. "His delivery of criticism is nasty. It is far more personal than Fergie ever was," a source reported recently.

But as a coach some reporters now are off the opinion that his methods and tactical philosophy are out of date and there is a feeling that Mourinho is no longer the tactical mastermind that saw him win Champions League trophies with Porto and Inter. Mourinho made his name with smart, reactive counter-attacking football making sure a clean sheet was the priority.

Despite all the trophies won at Chelsea it was an era of conservatism built on a solid back four and great keeper. He is no longer the master of the nullifying tactic, Diego Simeone's way of playing high- energy football with a focus on solid defence has taken Atletico Madrid to a La Liga title and two Champions League finals on far less resources than it took Mourinho.

Atletico look very difficult to beat nowadays even if they concede possession. In last seasons Champions League semi-final Pep's Bayern Munich had 73% possession in the second leg but could only win 2-1 and allow Atlético Madrid win on away goals. There was a time when Mourinho's teams could do that.

United prefer an attacking style of play and now the club are up against some of the best coaches in the world in Pep Guardiola, Antonio Conte, Jurgen Klopp and Pochettino. Even Everton's Ronald Koeman seems to be able to work wonders with a small budget like he did with Southampton.

Mourinho is detrimentally rigid in his coaching style and philosophy and United fans may have to adapt to his style of football rather than Mourinho adapt to what they are used to.

These younger managers are unleashing fresh modern ideas of football formations, tactics and attitudes. Across Manchester at City Pep is determined to bring in his passing and possession game. He believes that cunning and technique will win out against physicality and strength even in the Premier League.

Pep's attacking revolution changed football, his Barca side dominated all before them. They made Manchester United look average in two Champions league finals. 8 But some might say that teams are waking up to this style and deploying counter attacking tactics. Football evolves and changes all the time, managers need to do the same.

I don't think Mourinho will change, he's too stubborn and set in his beliefs. He is no longer anywhere near the cutting edge. Under Mourinho United are too pragmatic and cautious, and he needs to start playing with a bit more freedom and abandonment. He has just paid a world record price for a great midfielder in Paul Pogba but his tactics are stifling the Frenchman, it's like he's put "straight jackets" on his creative players so they become more disciplined. So that they don't concede instead focusing on scoring themselves. This is not the United way.

Source: DSG