Revealed: What Mourinho does to players at Chelsea

The “Special One,” Jose Mourinho has been demoted from his role as the manager of Roma after a very poor run of form. This came with quite a lot of upsets from different individuals, who felt sacking the Portuguese wasn’t the right approach at the moment for the club, however, Roma thought otherwise. Since his sack, rumor has been circulating regarding his potential return to Chelsea, which is more likely to be false than true as Chelsea will not be willing to path ways with Pochettino at the moment due to their current project which may not accommodate Mourinho’s philosophy. Regardless, Mourinho’s deeds at Stamford Bridge didn’t go unnoticed as former Chelsea players couldn’t help but to make references to his actions and inactions while he was at the helm of the affairs.

In a candid revelation on The Obi One Podcast, former Chelsea midfielder Joe Cole provided a glimpse into Jose Mourinho’s intense and uncompromising managerial style during his first stint at Chelsea. While Mourinho is renowned for his combustible character, Cole shed light on the manager’s dressing room habit, showcasing a level of hostility that extended beyond public criticism.

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Contrary to the perception of a strained relationship, Cole expressed his admiration for Mourinho, emphasizing their understanding despite the manager’s unrelenting approach. Recounting instances of Mourinho’s scathing critiques, Cole recalled a game where, despite setting up two goals and contributing to a 3-0 victory, he faced severe backlash for a missed opportunity late in the match.

He said: “I loved Jose but people always think we had a bad relationship. I played a league game and we won 3-0 at home. I set two goals up, and thought I played well, but probably took a few little flicks around. I’ve gone through one-on-one with the keeper late on and should’ve slotted it in but instead, I gave it to Crespo, but he’s not run anywhere near it and the defenders got it.”

Mourinho’s desperate for immediate feedback became apparent during the warm-down session the next day, where he warned Cole, “See you do that s*** again, boy, you’ll never f***ing play for me again.” This incident highlighted Mourinho’s ability to instill discipline and demand perfection, even from key players after otherwise successful outings.

Notably, Cole mentioned Ricardo Carvalho, considered one of Mourinho’s favorites, facing public criticism during a friendly match. Despite Carvalho’s close relationship with Mourinho, the manager didn’t shy away from berating him, using colorful language and gestures to express his displeasure. Cole, who witnessed the incident, shared the humorous side of Mourinho’s approach, describing how the manager labeled Carvalho as “playing like a f***ing elephant” while mimicking an elephant’s trunk. He emphasised: “I was right in front of him and he’s going ‘You’re playing like a f***ing elephant’ and he’s done the trunk sign and I’m there laughing.”

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Former teammate John Obi Mikel chimed in, highlighting Mourinho’s tendency to focus his anger on one player when angered. Mikel recounted an occasion when Mourinho singled him out, delivering a scathing assessment and ultimately substituting him after just 10 minutes.

Reflecting on the unpredictability of Mourinho’s dressing-downs, Cole admitted there was often “no rhyme or reason for it.” Mourinho’s ability to keep players on their toes, even those considered his favorites, showcased a managerial strategy aimed at maintaining a high level of performance and accountability within the squad. This may not work for the current generation of Chelsea player who are already used to Pochettino’s pampering and calm words. Jose will go all out on you! 

Despite the intense nature of Mourinho’s approach, Cole emphasized that the manager knew how to elicit a response from his players. Each time Mourinho criticized him, Cole responded positively on the pitch, showcasing the effectiveness of Mourinho’s motivational tactics.

Mourinho’s first stint at Chelsea, from 2004 to 2007, witnessed unprecedented success, including consecutive Premier League titles. Cole, who made 123 appearances under Mourinho during this period, acknowledged the manager’s impact on his career, contributing to 21 goals and 13 assists.

Unlike the public opinion regarding his future, Jose Mourinho may consider a move to Saudi Arabia to continue his managerial career.