Football News: Ball Boys To Blame Says Jose

It is hard to know how to view Jose Mourinho, his will to win is immense, but it so often manifests itself in ways that are very easy to dislike, which is odd as he is a genuinely likeable and charismatic man.

For all his willingness to do unheralded charity work behind the scenes, there is his disgraceful spoilt childlike tantrums when his team loses a match.

For all the times he has sat down and helped an opposing player following a game, by showing them the folder prepared with their strengths and weakness and guiding them on how to improve their game, there are incidents of his cheating to win.

Not bending the rules as it is often referred to when cases such as hiding in the laundry basket are mentioned, but breaking them.

If it had been another manager who had done that, it would be seen as cheating, but Jose's charisma and relationship with the British press, has seen that act almost applauded.

Eye poking, setting out his teams to dive and play act at every opportunity, and numerous other issues surround Mourinho, since he first came to attention as he led Porto to the Champions League.

His time in Spain, with Real Madrid was mired in controversy and bitterness as he failed to get the same relationship with the press in Spain that he enjoys in England as Chelsea manager or in Italy while managing Inter Milan.

So really is it a surprise that his attempts to put a loss against Newcastle down to the ball boys being too slow to return the ball is being treated so kindly in the press?

I wonder if it was anyone but a media darling doing so, whether it wouldn't be used to turn him into a laughing stock?

Written by Tris Burke December 07 2014 06:55:41