Mourinho’s inability to build mature relationships with players and rivals explains why he can never be a success in the long run

In a recent report, McKinsey, the management consultancy, concluded that narrative is one of the most vital assets of any organisation. This may sound a bit soft and fuzzy, particularly from a sharp-edged corporate like McKinsey, but it tallies with modern psychological research as well as common sense.

Think of Manchester United under Sir Alex Ferguson. Read his books and you will note that Ferguson was always talking about what it meant to be a “United player”. It was about passion, work ethic and a grounding in the history of the club. He didn’t want pay-cheque performers. He wanted people who could demonstrate a deeper commitment.

Narrative was central to this. Ferguson constantly emphasised the sense of United as a living, breathing storyline with emotional