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Part of an exclusive series of articles from Jose Mourinho, brought to you by Football.com
It was at the very beginning of my career as a head coach.
"It was a disaster and I had to replace him just before the half-time"
There was a renowned international player at the club, signed from a big one of the English Premier League.
The Czech didn't hide the fact that, contrary to what happened to him, his ideal position on the pitch was that of a number 10, but instead he was always used as a winger, which diminished the quality of his performances. And he took this view publicly, complaining about the stubbornness of the coaches.
One day, I had barely started working, when I called him into my office, made him sit down in my chair and, pointing to the technical board hanging on the wall, I told him: "You've now momentarily become the manager. So, tell me why you want to play in the number 10 position."
Surprised, the Czech went over to the board and outlined his idea, drawing the moves he could make with a piece of chalk. When he finished, I told him that he was no longer the coach and returned to being a player. I sat back in my chair and ended the conversation by saying: "Look, next game I'm going to put you in the position you want, and we’ll see". And he went off, smiling, back to the changing room.
And, as promised, I stood by my words and gave him the number 10 role right at the start of the match.
But... it was a disaster and I had to replace him just before the half-time. Naturally, he never again said that it was in that position that he was most effective on the pitch.
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Jose Mourinho is the ambassador for Football.com.
"He would go in his fancy car and the rest of the team, including me, in the club bus."
Later, as manager of one of England's top clubs, I had another curious episode, also with an international player, but this time a French one.
The lad had bought a top-of-the-range car and told me that, after the match, he wanted to return to Manchester in his new million’s pounds car.
In other words, he would go in his fancy car and the rest of the team, including me, in the club bus. Obviously, I refused, and the lad got angry. And obviously he took the bus, like everyone else, including me and my staff.
No matter how brilliant a "star" may be, individualism must not take precedence over the collective, but must be put at its service.
I tell you about these two episodes to give you an idea of how we are sometimes confronted with players who think they are above the rest, in footballing or financial terms, which can cause divisions within the group, something that, as you will understand, neither I nor anyone else can allow.
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Jose Mourinho is the ambassador for Football.com.
A "broken" football team is not a football team and can only win titles occasionally.
A "broken" football team is not a football team and can only win titles occasionally.
And the players understand that and there is no need to be paternalistic. Yes, you always must keep your office door open and be willing to listen to them and sometimes even advise them, even when it comes to personal matters. But not in a paternalistic way, but as someone who is older, more experienced and, above all, as a friend they can count on even in difficult times.
And it is essential to always be upfront with them, praising when deserved and criticizing when necessary. And always looking them in the eye. This is the only way to earn their respect and trust.
And when the players recognize that we are with them not only as a coach but also as someone who, like them, has the main goal of winning, winning trophies, pulling through in the world of football and becoming part of the history of a club, a city or a country, everything becomes easier.
Making them feel the responsibility that falls on each one of them and on the team, the need to show solidarity and often to be able to suffer is half the battle towards victory, and the more powerful the opponent, the sweeter the victory.
It was this spirit, for example, that made it possible for Inter to become European Champion.
"Players like Milito, Drogba, Ricardo Carvalho or Essien..."
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Jose Mourinho is the ambassador for Football.com.
Of course, there are those who can easily understand all this, making a coach's job easier. Players like Milito, Drogba, Ricardo Carvalho or Essien, among many others, and several of those I currently work with, whose winning mentality, commitment, professionalism, and hard work are a guarantee that they will achieve “stardom”. I simply show them the way.
Jose Mourinho is the ambassador for Football.com.
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