We'll continue to hear conflicting stories about Mourinho and Florentino Perez's relationship as the season progresses, but there's no doubt that something noteworthy is hidden behind the handshakes and smiles. Mourinho's fighting mentality and the way he seemingly creates enemies—notably with the media—may mean that this is his final year.
A winning coach, yes, but perhaps it's time to unite a divided squad and move on from the Portuguese manager. This one may fall into the category of Jose Mourinho's lack of confidence in his squad, but how many of the players are suffering because of his methods? Perhaps suffering is too strong a term, maybe the best way to look at it is simply that the manager isn't focusing on his strongest assets. Mesut Ozil should be Real Madrid's focal point on the pitch. For the style of football they're capable of playing—the blitzkrieg counterattacks—a player like Ozil needs to pull the strings for it to be a success.
But Mourinho has seemingly created another small battle between himself and the German international. Some might wish to think that the whole story has been blown out of proportion, and again the issue of Mourinho's war with the media arises. What about Kaka and the lack of faith Mourinho appears to have in him?
Couldn't the Brazilian and Ozil form a devastating partnership on the pitch, one which sees them successfully combine with Cristiano Ronaldo as an advanced midfield three?
There has also been evidence in the past of Mourinho passing the blame for draws or defeats onto his players, once again adding to the notion that all is not well in the squad. The year-old Mourinho's time in charge of the nine-time European champions has been littered with high profile bust-ups with the local media and many of his stellar squad of world class players, but Perez hailed his demanding standards throughout his time in charge.
Mourinho's time in charge did have its successes as he guided Real to the Spanish title last season and won the club's first Copa del Rey for 20 years back in Los Blancos also reached three Champions League semi-finals under Mourinho, but ultimately it was his failure to lead Real to their treasured 10th European title that will mark his legacy in the Spanish capital.
The Portuguese was heavily criticised for his overly defensive approach in a number of meetings with eternal rivals Barcelona during his first year in charge as Madrid were humbled at the hands of the Catalans and also dumped out of the Champions League by Barca in a bad tempered semi-final. The following season was to prove Mourinho's best in Spain as Real finally overcame Pep Guardiola's all-conquering Barcelona side on the domestic front to claim their first title in four years.
Mourinho's generally successful first two years in charge has now been blotted by a disruptive final season when he seemed to be in constant conflict with senior members of his squad. Sergio Ramos and Mesut Ozil were singled out early in the campaign as Real started slowly on the domestic front to hand Barcelona an early advantage in the league which they have never relinquished. However, without him, those figures actually climbed to Addition by subtraction perhaps, but Madrid's loss was certainly a gain for Juve when the superstar decided he wanted a new challenge in Turin.
Zidane, too, will now contemplate what is next in his coaching career. Considering his ties to Madrid, the possibility of a third stint should not be ruled out. Tired of the unceasing, ungainly internet entertainment updates? Walk dazzling lanes and by lanes with Outlook. Know what's behind the apparent and what doesn't show.
Your journey into the myriad shades of truth with Outlook. Home Sports. Zinedine Zidane's future at the Santiago Bernabeu was a hot topic for weeks, at times overshadowing Real Madrid's attempts to retain their league crown.
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Tech in style The right tech that defines you. His previous divorce from the club had been telegraphed through a year of political grumbling before the axe inevitably fell a month into his fourth campaign. So much of the intervening seven months had been fraught.
Mourinho had stressed the need for greater depth in quality, having instigated a more pragmatic style of play since the turn of the year as he sought to edge Chelsea over the line. His squad ended their title-winning campaign exhausted, with the head coach duly delaying their return for pre-season. That might have been necessary but it left them playing catch-up from the outset. Regardless, Mourinho was already unimpressed with recruitment and his downbeat, grumpy mood set the tone.
The outbursts were wild, the manager lashing out as if convinced the world was suddenly conspiring against him. They were directed inexcusably at the medical staff on a difficult opening afternoon against Swansea — the subsequent legal dispute with Dr Eva Carneiro would rumble on long after his departure — and would persist against television pundits and, most regularly, officialdom.
His livid accusations added to the sense of panic that gripped tighter with each spluttering performance mustered by his team out on the pitch. Maybe his players had tired of his training methods, or of the grinding style to which he had resorted, but nothing Mourinho tried — be it carrot or stick — succeeded in coaxing consistent performances from a collective shorn of confidence. They lost three of their first five league games.
Even their aura of invincibility at home had been replaced overnight by choking apprehension. Roman Abramovich, who had secured the Portuguese with a new four-year contract that summer, was present that afternoon to witness the loss.
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