Sunday 30 October 2016

Prickly Mourinho feeling the strain and pressure

Two months into his tenure at Old Trafford... and we've had the first meltdown.

It was always going to happen at some point but the fact it's come so early in the season hinted that all is not well is the world of Jose Mourinho. 

Angered at Antonio Conte's touchline antics at the Bridge last week, charged over comments made towards referee Anthony Taylor and now living a lonely existence at the Lowry Hotel, it's been a bizarre and troubled week for Jose. 

Without a trace of irony last Sunday, Mourinho barked condemnation in Antonio Conte's ear over the Chelsea manager's 'unprofessional' touchline demeanour.
Days later, one of the most poorly behaved bosses in the game was passing notes to an assistant doing shuttle runs from the directors box to the bench. 

The Special One is looking anything but right now and although he may he insist what he said about 'living in a goldfish bowl' were made in jest, there is no doubt that he's feeling the strain.

The media interest, paparazzi, autograph hunters and selfie snaps go with any managerial post- none more so than at United-  but his antics on Saturday hardly hinted at keeping a low profile and getting on with the job. 

Pep Guardiola took a sabbatical when he left Barcelona before he went to Bayern, to recharge his batteries and come back refreshed.
It looks and sounds like Jose could have done with the same as his career has been more or less none stop hard work for 12 years. 

He's admitted to struggling to adapting without his family but yet is making his job harder by hogging the headlines and the latest episode in a career chequered with controversy came during the Burnley game.

Referee Mark Clattenburg sent Mourinho to the stands for his comments at half-time that came after the official turned down a penalty appeal against Matteo Darmian. 

Jose was visibly incensed by that decision and his mood would not have improved by having to move seats and go into the directors box after being told he was too close to the dugout. 

There can be spells of dignity and charm tossed in but that is normally the price you have to pay when Jose is your manager- he may well bring success but it will come with excess baggage. 

We're less ponderous but no more productive on the pitch while off it the Mourinho sideshow is gathering pace. 

There is a decent combination of players in this United squad- an attacking threat which we have seen in flashes but not consistently- and Mourinho is struggling to find it. 

It's not the only problem he's battling with at present. 








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