How do you solve a problem like Mourinho?

As José Mourinho begins his third season in charge of Manchester United we find ourselves in familiar territory. With United losing two of their opening four games the medias’ knives are already sharpening and quoting the so-called Mourinho third season meltdown. Even in this crazy football world of manager sackings, it would be ridiculous to suggest that United are even contemplating his departure at this early stage. However, I believe José Mourinho has a decision to make. He demands respect from the press and believes that other managers, who have won less or no trophies for their respective clubs, get much better treatment from them. His record speaks for itself but for a manager who has won so much, it seems to me that he has some sort of inferiority complex and obsessed with himself and the past. Of all the managers in the world, Mourinho is experienced enough to know that the media and sports journalists are itching to have a go as soon as they see big managers losing games or sense any disharmony in a club. They encourage it and often make it worse. He has been outspoken too many times and played enough mind games with them to know that this is a game he will never win. They are vultures just waiting to pounce on difficulties. It is their livelihood. Good news does not make headlines and we see that too often on the TV and front pages. They love to sensationalise issues and scares us all the time.
As a United fan, I would never have had him at the club. I can fully understand why he was signed following two unsuccessful successors to Sir Alex Ferguson. Why would you not want to sign one of the most successful football managers in the modern era? I personally don’t think his management style suits the ethos of such a great club. There is too much baggage that comes with him and, like others, I could see this coming. However, it is not too late to turn it around and if Mourinho can just understand that the club is bigger than anyone and not be too insular then he of all people has the experience to achieve success at United. Alex Ferguson was not one to shy away from playing mind games and had his run-ins with the media but there is a great difference between the two management styles. Ferguson was always about the team, not himself. He never looked back at what he had achieved but just wanted the team to keep moving forward and achieving more. Mourinho can talk all he wants about his past achievements, but Manchester United don’t want to hear about any of that. They want to achieve more success and that is why they hired him.
Therefore, José Mourinho needs to decide whether he wants to continue to moan and pick fights with the media or concentrate on coaching some great players he already has at the club and prove people all wrong by demonstrating what a great manager he still is.
