While Mourinho is flirtatious with the media, his relationship with them is a double edged sword. While at times he can be charismatic and charming with his comments (when winning), he can also be controversial and extreme, occasionally calling out players publicly and even the board. And because of that, the media have portrayed a negative connotation of Mourinho. A man who once won it all now reduced to a bemoaning figure and still believes that he wears the crown that he once wore.

During José last press conferences, he would remain glum, unhappy, bemoaning about the lack of a world-class defender at United. While he’s not wrong about United needing another defender, there are ways about going about the job, and expressing your issues publicly with the media. Instead of thinking, “Wow I’m at Manchester United, look at all these players and the quality I have”, he thinks about, “Look at this shit I have to put up with, no Drogba, no Lampard, no Terry.” While complaining about the players he had may prove his ambition to win everything, it also proves that he doesn’t possess the same element that he did when he won the Champions League with Porto. Managers aren’t there to complain and ask for more funds, but are there to work with what they have and make the most of it. By rewarding his players based on loyalty rather than merit, it’s clear that he wasn’t making the most of what he had.

Furthermore, when questioned about the media about some of his decisions, he would always remind them of his trophies, which is something someone great wouldn’t do. As a manager, your respect needs to be earned and not demanded, and it’s clear that’s a conflict that Mourinho faces wherever he goes. The same can probably be said with his relationship with the players. With continuous rumours of bust-ups with Paul Pogba and the Manchester United captain Antonio Valencia liking an Instagram post that said “José out”, the players weren’t really behind him. While the players should be motivated no matter what (they’re playing for Manchester United), it was evident that José had to demand his respect rather than earn it. Were the players wanting to play defensive-disciplined football? Did the players REALLY want to give 100% every week?

It’s a different story with Ole, entering every press conference full of praise with the quality of players he has and saying whatever he needs to say to please the fans and the players. While Mourinho spoke from the experience of winning trophies, Ole speaks from the experience of playing from the club. Mourinho always spoke about exploiting the opponent’s weakness, whereas Ole speaks about bringing the game to the other team, and where perhaps that’s the main contrast. Instead of publicly calling out his players, Ole publicly praises his player, relishing every opportunity. With Ole, respect isn’t demanded but rather earned, after all it’s not hard to have respect for someone who won the Champions League for Manchester United in 1999, the treble-winning season.