Jose Mourinho, a revered coach known for transforming teams into formidable forces, has encountered instances where certain top-tier footballers faced downturns in their careers under his mentorship. The rifts or lack of rapport with the Portuguese tactician often resulted in a lackluster performance for these unfortunate players.
Despite Mourinho’s tactical brilliance that often propels teams to contend for titles, his propensity for sidelining players he deems unnecessary has led to career setbacks for some. Here’s a rundown of 5 world-class footballers whose careers faltered under Mourinho’s guidance:
Andriy Shevchenko
The Ukrainian striker’s move from AC Milan to Chelsea in 2006 garnered high expectations. However, Shevchenko struggled at Chelsea, scoring only 22 goals in 77 appearances across competitions. His purchase was seemingly influenced more by the owner’s desire than Mourinho’s need.
Paul Pogba
Pogba’s record-breaking transfer from Juventus to Manchester United in 2016 initially seemed promising under Mourinho. However, their relationship soured over time, leading to Pogba’s relegation from the starting lineup. Injuries compounded his struggles to assert himself.
Anthony Martial
Mourinho’s preference for other forwards like Ibrahimovic and Rashford sidelined Martial, despite the Frenchman’s potential at Manchester United. Reduced playing time hampered his progress and impacted his performance.
Hernan Crespo
While a prolific striker at Inter Milan and AC Milan, Crespo couldn’t replicate his success under Mourinho at Chelsea. He faced stiff competition from Drogba and struggled to secure a regular spot.
Iker Casillas
A Real Madrid legend, Casillas’ relationship with Mourinho led to his sidelining and eventual departure in 2015. Reports indicated Mourinho’s discomfort due to Casillas’ camaraderie with Barcelona players in the Spanish national team, causing strain between the two. Casillas, in hindsight, regretted not standing up against Mourinho’s actions during their time together at Madrid.
Casillas later admitted that the tension within the squad during Mourinho’s tenure was detrimental. Reflecting on his decision to stay silent, he expressed a desire to confront Mourinho back then, believing it would have been better than remaining silent to respect the club.
“In my opinion, if this could happen again, I would have the courage to face Mourinho,” Casillas expressed, regretting his silence and emphasizing the need for a better resolution for the club, himself, and Mourinho.
