Premier League
Troubled United Left With No Choice But To Fire Mourinho
For the past six seasons, Manchester United has been on a slippery slope towards holding the dishonorable title of “Banter FC.” The designation belongs to the English club that it is the easiest target for criticism. Reasonable minds occasionally differ on who deserves the title. However, this season United have been the only contender for the crown. Firing Jose Mourinho is only a temporary solution. The club will have to do much more to avoid retaining the crown next season.
Third Season Syndrome
After his recent stints at Madrid and Chelsea, Mourinho has established a reputation for wearing out his welcome by his third season at a club. He is a very intense, egotistical manager. This style can shock a team into extraordinary results in the short term. Inevitably, it soon leads to burnout. This pattern held true during his previous stint with Madrid and two terms as Chelsea boss. Years one and two were laden with trophies while everything went up in flames by year three. The fiery manager would clash with everyone from ownership, players, rival teams and the press before being shown the exit door on all three occasions.
Notwithstanding some criticism regarding their negative style of football, Mourinho’s first two years at United were considered a success. The club won the League Cup and the Europa League, while finishing second to runaway winners Manchester City in that time. The Special One even boasted the same win percentage as the revered Sir Alex.
Same As It Ever Was
All eyes were on United as year three began. It didn’t take long for history to start to repeat itself. At a press conference during United’s preseason tour, Mourinho unleashed a rant unique to his third seasons. He criticized the United board for not buying the players he wanted. He decried his young players for lacking talent and scolded senior players for not truncating their summer vacations to be present.
The Portuguese was particularly perturbed about chairman Ed Woodward’s failure to give him funds for a star defender. Mourinho felt he wasn’t being given the support needed to succeed. The club pointed to the £400 million he was given to spend during his reign as evidence to the contrary. This included Pogba, who recently was the world’s most expensive player. A meteorologist was not required to anticipate the impending storm.
Lighting struck immediately, as United lost two of its first three games. They presently languish in 6th place and trail leaders Liverpool by 19 points. The top-4 places are 11 points out of reach. It is United’s worst start in 28 years. Only one out of their last six games has been a victory. The Red Devils conceded more goals in 17 games this term than the 38 of last. The situation had become so untenable that rival fans routinely chanted they wanted Mourinho to stay. While rivals reveled in the chaos surrounding England’s biggest club, United fans could routinely be seen having meltdowns.
Mourinho Didn’t Align with United’s Core Values
Dismissing the Portuguese following United’s 3-1 loss at Anfield was surprising. Nobody has won at Anfield lately and United typically wait much longer before changing managers. But it wasn’t so much that United lost to their rivals, but how they lost.
Two of the club’s core values are playing attractive football and promoting youth. Mourinho regularly clashed with youngsters like Pogba, Martial and Shaw. Meanwhile, United have routinely played negative football. Against Liverpool both problems were on display. Neither Pogba, Martial or Shaw started and United turned in another dreadful display. United held only 35% possession. Worse, they were out-shot 36-6. Mourinho once quipped that he wouldn’t pay to watch his side play. Fans no longer have to.
The third value at United is winning. The club decreased its emphasis on the first two in pursuit of the third. Mourinho has long preferred experienced players and defensive, pragmatic football. He has been extremely successful with this approach. Punishing him for reverting to these principles once more isn’t logical. No, he was fired because United are miles away from winning the Premier League ore Champions League. With Mourinho unable to deliver the coveted trophies, the club could no long overlook the ideological differences.
United Treat The Symptom Not the Cause
It’s difficult to argue that Mourinho deserved to stay. He was essentially asking to be fired. The manager clashed with players, club directors, fans and the media. He turned the proud club into a drama-filled circus. It’s easy to hope that by removing him from the equation peace, harmony and wins will return to Old Trafford. It isn’t that simple. The three men who have attempted to replace Sir Alex have all failed. While not perfect, David Moyes, Louis Van Gaal and Mourinho all have impressive resumes.
United has deeper issues. The Glazers ownership has divested over £1 billion from the team. Also, the club lacks a Director of Football. Ed Woodward himself has acknowledged he isn’t qualified to make transfer decisions alone. Furthermore, the club’s bloated network of 58 scouts has become inefficient at identifying targets. If they are unable to address these issues, it wont matter who replaces Mourinho.
Pochettino or Zidane?
Mauricio Pochettino and Zinedine Zidane are the two favorites to take over next season. Only one outcome appears likely. Winning at Madrid without Cristiano Ronaldo was a difficult prospect. Therefore, Zidane left. Pochettino meanwhile hasn’t complained about Tottenham’s continued lack of investment in the transfer market. Only Pochettino has the appetite for the massive challenge at hand.
Photo credit to Donald Trump via Flickr
