The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Jose Mourinho

  • Lukaku criticism baffles Mourinho

    Lukaku criticism baffles Mourinho

    Manchester United manager, Jose Mourinho has asked club fans to support striker Romelu Lukaku, saying the Belgium international has been subjected to unfair criticism.

    After scoring seven goals in as many league games, Lukaku has not scored in the following three matches and his fading goal scoring exploits, along with his underwhelming record in big games has been criticised.

    Mourinho reckoned Lukaku deserved more support after an assist in each of his last two league games, the most recent of which led to the winning goal in last Saturday’s 1-0 victory over third-placed Tottenham.

    “I would like the supporters to explain to me why they don’t support him so much.

    “Because he gives everything and I think it is not fair when scoring the goal or not scoring the goal (he) makes the whole difference,” Mourinho told the club’s website.

    “I don’t think it is fair at all. So, I‘m a bit disappointed – but not with him. With him (I am) very pleased.”

    Mourinho’s decision to withdraw Marcus Rashford, rather than Lukaku, for Anthony Martial in the 70th minute against Spurs attracted loud boos from the Old Trafford faithful.

    The Portuguese boss responded to critics by holding a finger to his lips after the final whistle, but was puzzled by the fans’ dissent.

    “I really don’t understand some reactions why, “Mourinho added. ”Are they Red Devils? Sometimes I don’t know because they (Lukaku and Martial) work amazingly well.

    “Sometimes he (Martial) starts the match and his contribution is good… the same as Rashford, the same as Lukaku.”

    Mourinho said defender Marcos Rojo was likely to return from his long-term knee injury after the November international break, but set no return date for midfielder Paul Pogba, who injured his hamstring last month.

    United trail local rivals Manchester City by five points at the top of the league table and host Benfica in the Champions League on Tuesday followed by a league trip to fourth-placed Chelsea on Sunday.

    NAN

  • Liverpool Vs Man United: EPL resumes with rivalry fixture

    Liverpool Vs Man United: EPL resumes with rivalry fixture

    Premier League actions resume this weekend with seven matches on Saturday (tomorrow), two on Sunday and one on Monday.
    Liverpool will be at home to host Manchester United in one of the Saturday’s fixtures.
    Jose Mourinho’s United have been in superb form this season, winning six of their seven league fixtures and also sealing two convincing victories in the Champions League.

    Their form has allowed them to emerge as early front runners in the title race alongside Manchester City and Mourinho will be looking to maintain their run at Liverpool on Saturday.

    Jurgen Klopp’s side are already seven points adrift of United and have only won one of their last four fixtures in the English top-flight.

     

    Klopp has yet to win major silverware two years after being appointed following Brendan Rodgers’ sacking.

    Defeat at home by Manchester United on Saturday will leave Liverpool on 12 points from eight games – the same tally as when Rodgers was dismissed.

    “I don’t think I am perfect but it’s quite difficult to find better options,” said Klopp on Friday when asked about what he thinks about the match and what he thinks could happen to his job if he did not win the Saturday game.

    Meanwhile, Mourinho is prepared for an unfriendly environment at antfied.
    He said, “will be beautiful” to take his side to Anfield despite expecting an atmosphere of “animosity.”United can go 10 points ahead of their rivals with victory, while Liverpool will hope to win at home for the first time since August.
    Sports analysts on Supersport on Friday hinted that a record of 900,000,000 fans will be watching the rival match across the world.
    FIXTURES

    Saturday (2:00pm unless otherwise stated)

    Burnley v West Ham,

    Crystal Palace v Chelsea,

    Liverpool v Man United,

     Man City v Stoke,

    Swansea v Huddersfield,

    Tottenham v Bournemouth,

    Watford v Arsenal (1630 GMT)

    Sunday:

    Brighton v Everton (12:30pm),

    Southampton v Newcastle (3:00pm)

    Monday (7:00pm):

    Leicester v West Brom

  • Mourinho gets court date in tax-fraud case

    Mourinho gets court date in tax-fraud case

     

     

    Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho will appear at a Spanish court to answer allegations of tax fraud on November 3, just two days before his side face his former club Chelsea in the Premier League.

    Mourinho, who denies wrongdoing, has been summoned to Pozuelo de Alarcon in Madrid at 10:00 local time (09:00 GMT) on that date, which will come as United prepare for their November 5 trip to Stamford Bridge in the Premier League.

    The 54-year-old is accused by a Spanish regional prosecutor of defrauding tax authorities to the tune of €3.3million, relating to image rights in the calendar years 2011 and 2012 during his three seasons in charge of Real Madrid.

    After being accused in June, Mourinho released a statement through his agent Jorge Mendes’ company Gestifute to stress that he is “in compliance” with all his obligations, having previously settled another claim against him with Spain’s tax authorities.

    Gestifute’s statement at the time read: “Jose Mourinho, who lived in Spain from June 2010 until May 2013, paid more than €26 million in taxes, with an average tax rate over 41 per cent, and accepted the regularisation proposals made by the Spanish tax authorities in 2015 regarding the years of 2011 and 2012 and entered into a settlement agreement regarding 2013.

    “The Spanish government in turn, through the tax department, issued a certificate in which it attested that he regularised his position and was in compliance with all his tax obligations.”

  • Mourinho won’t be charged over sending-off

    Mourinho won’t be charged over sending-off

    Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho will face no punishment from the English Football Association  ( FA ) after being sent off during his side’s 1-0 Premier League victory over Southampton on Saturday.

    Deep into stoppage-time, referee Craig Pawson sent Mourinho to the stands after he appeared to step on to the pitch and accidentally collide with fourth official Mike Jones.

    The FA received Pawson’s report on Monday, however, and has decided no further action is necessary.

    United maintained their unbeaten start in the league and are second in the standings, behind Manchester City on goals difference.

  • United’s Mourinho eyes first Super Cup win in Real reunion

    United’s Mourinho eyes first Super Cup win in Real reunion

    Manchester United’s Jose Mourinho can collect the one European trophy he lacks when his side face Real Madrid in the UEFA Super Cup on Tuesday.

    This will be his first competitive meeting with the Spanish giants since an acrimonious split in 2013.

    Mourinho won the Europa League last season to salvage an otherwise disappointing first campaign under the Portuguese.

    During his stint in Spain, he had led Real to the Liga title with a record 100 points and won a King’s Cup in an eventful stay between 2010 and 2013.

    His achievements at the Santiago Bernabeu were overshadowed, however, by his falling out with key dressing room figures such as Sergio Ramos and Iker Casillas.

    He also had confrontations with referees and opponents plus a failure to win the Champions League as Real lost in the semifinals each year.

    Mourinho’s legacy has been upstaged by the Spanish club’s three Champions League triumphs in the four years since his departure.

    Although in a recent interview the Portuguese claimed he had “to beg” Real’s board to let him leave for Chelsea.

    Champions League holders Real will be without talisman and former United forward Cristiano Ronaldo in Skopje, Macedonia as the Portugal international was allowed to report late for pre-season training after he played in the Confederations Cup.

    Zinedine Zidane’s side beat Sevilla 3-2 in extra-time last year to win the showcase match.

    The French coach is targeting a fourth European trophy in less than two years in charge of Real, which would match Mourinho’s tally of continental titles.

    United, meanwhile, will be missing central defenders Eric Bailly and Phil Jones, due to suspension, opening up a place in the starting lineup for new recruit Victor Lindelof.

    The Swede is one of three signings made so far by United, along with Belgium striker Romelu Lukaku and midfield anchorman Nemanja Matic.

    They arrived at a combined cost of 146 million pounds ($190.34 million) as the Old Trafford side looks to improve on a disappointing sixth-placed Premier League finish last term.

    Real have added promising youngsters Theo Hernandez and Dani Ceballos to their talent-packed squad which won a Liga and Champions League double last season, while parting ways with forwards Alvaro Morata and James Rodriguez.

    Their reported interest in French teenage sensation Kylian Mbappe has yet to materialise, however.

    United beat Real on penalties after a 1-1 draw in a friendly in California last month and won five of their other pre-season games, losing only to Barcelona.

    Real, meanwhile, failed to win any of their four friendlies in the United States in 90 minutes.

    They lost 3-2 to Barca and got thrashed 4-1 by Manchester City, their only win came in a shoot-out victory over an MLS All-Stars team.

    “The sensation overall is not good, when you don’t win any of your four games something is wrong,” Zidane told reporters after the tour.

    “We have to do a lot more, we’ve made a bad start with these results and what we all want is to get home, rest and think about the Super Cup.”

  • Jose Mourinho ‘Steals’ Andy Murray’s Wimbledon Trophy

    Jose Mourinho ‘Steals’ Andy Murray’s Wimbledon Trophy

    Jose Mourinho and Andy Murray have starred in a brilliant advert where the former ‘steals’ the latter’s Wimbledon trophy.

    In the Jaguar commercial, the tennis world number one can be seen giving up last year’s replica trophy for a special tour in the XF Sportbrake.

    Despite the tour happening in real life, events take a rather bizarre twist in the advert.

    On its journey through schools and tennis clubs, the SW19 Silverware is stolen in an elaborate heist.

    The Manchester United boss brilliantly uses a couple of schoolchildren to help swap out the replica for a cardboard model.

    Jose Mourinho nabs Andy Murray’s 2016 Wimbledon trophy

    When the car returns to Murray, he is left shocked by what he finds.

    Though viewers don’t see it in the video, Jaguar have reliably informed Murray fans that Mourinho returned the replica Wimbledon trophy safe and sound 
    “Wait a minute…”

    Speaking about the tour, Murray said: “Apparently, I’m the first winner in the history of Wimbledon to give up their replica trophy like this.

    “It was hard to part with it but it’s for a great cause.”

  • Jose Mourinho bids dad emotional goodbye

    Jose Mourinho bids dad emotional goodbye

     

    Jose Mourinho said an emotional goodbye to his father Felix on Tuesday  as he attended his funeral in Setubal, Portugal.

    The Manchester United manager confirmed that his father had passed away on Sunday evening at the age of 79 after suffering with ill health for several months.

    Mourinho, who helped carry the coffin into the church, was joined by wife Matilde, daughter Matilde, son Jose Jnr and United assistant coach Silvino Louro for the service.

    Goalkeeper Jose Manuel Mourinho Felix played first for Vitoria Setubal and then for Belenenses, making 274 appearances in the Portuguese league between 1955 and 1974.

    He achieved one international cap for Portugal, appearing as a late substitute in a match against the Republic of Ireland in the 1972 Brazil Independence Cup.

    After hanging up his gloves, Mourinho Felix became a coach with a number of Portuguese clubs including Uniao Leiria, Amora, Rio Ave, Belenenses and Vitoria.

    He won the Portuguese second division title on four occasions, having twice lifted the Portuguese Cup during his playing days.

    United goalkeeping coach Emilio Alvarez Blanco and Mourinho’s assistant at Real Madrid, Aitor Karanka, were also on hand to support their friend.

    A large crowd gathered outside the venue as Mourinho helped remove the coffin from the hearse before draping a large flag over it.

    Belenenses confirmed the news of his death in a statement which read: ‘Os Belenenses CF have been made aware of the passing of Jose Manuel Mourinho Felix, club goalkeeper from 1968 until 1974, team coach in the 1970-71 and 1982-83 campaigns, and a much loved figure at the club.

    ‘During this difficult time, the Belenense family and Os Belenenses CF sends its warmest condolences to his family, especially his wife and son, Jose Mourinho.’

    Mourinho, who visited his ailing father regularly over the past few months, took to Instagram on Monday to share a touching black-and-white image of himself as a young boy with his father following his passing.

    The country’s football federation sent ‘the most heartfelt condolences to Mourinho and the rest of the bereaved family.’ United also extended their condolences on their official website.

  • Jose Mourinho loses dad

    Jose Mourinho loses dad

    Jose Mourinho’s father Felix has passed away at the age of 79.The Manchester United manager posted a black-and-white photograph of himself as a young boy alongside his father, a former goalkeeper, on his Instagram account.
    Felix, has been suffering from ill health for several months, died in Setubal on Sunday and will be buried on Tuesday.
    As a footballer, Mourinho Felix played first for Vitoria Setubal and then for Belenenses, making 274 appearances in the Portuguese league between 1955 and 1974.
    He achieved one international cap for Portugal, appearing as a late substitute in a match against the Republic of Ireland in the 1972 Brazil Independence Cup.
    After hanging up his gloves, Mourinho Felix became a coach with a number of Portuguese clubs including Uniao Leiria, Amora, Rio Ave, Belenenses and Vitoria.
    He won the Portuguese second division title on four occasions, having twice lifted the Portuguese Cup during his playing days.
    The country’s football federation sent ‘the most heartfelt condolences to Jose Mourinho and the rest of the bereaved family.’
    Mourinho has flown regularly from Manchester to Portugal in recent months to visit his father as his health deteriorated.

  • Mourinho in €3.3m (£2.9m; $3.6m) fraud allegation

    Mourinho in €3.3m (£2.9m; $3.6m) fraud allegation

    Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has been accused of tax fraud by Spanish prosecutors investigating his time as Real Madrid’s head coach.

    The Portuguese-born Mourinho is accused of defrauding Spain of €3.3m (£2.9m; $3.6m) in taxes between 2011 and 2012. He has yet to comment on the claim.

    A prosecutor said he did not declare income from the use of his image rights in order to get an “illicit benefit”.

    Other big names in football have been accused of tax fraud in Spain recently.

    Those include Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo, who played under Mourinho and shares the same agent as him. The player is accused of defrauding tax authorities of €14.7m, by also hiding his income from image rights.

    RELATED: “I will dump Madrid if convicted on tax allegation”

    He denies the accusations and is threatening to leave Spain. The Portuguese-born star is set to give evidence in his case on 31 July.

    Mourinho, 54, is accused of two counts of tax fraud – €1.6m in 2011 and €1.7m in 2012. The Madrid prosecutor said the case was presented to a local court.

    Other footballers accused of tax fraud in Spain include:

    • Barcelona and Argentina footballer Lionel Messi, who has been handed a 21-month jail term. His father Jorge, who manages his finances, was also convicted
    • Barcelona defender Javier Mascherano – also an Argentine – admitted tax fraud, escaping a jail term with a one-year suspended sentence
    • Barcelona and Brazilian star Neymar is also facing allegations of corruption and fraud over his transfer to the Spanish club in 2013 – a case which also involves his parents. Prosecutors allege the transfer cost much more than publicly declared, and that millions were concealed from authorities
    • Former Barcelona president Sandro Rosell, was arrested in May as part of a money-laundering investigation
  • Man U to beat Chelsea to £40m Ivan Perisic deal   

    Man U to beat Chelsea to £40m Ivan Perisic deal   

    Manchester United are set to beat Chelsea to Inter Milan winger Ivan Perisic

    Both Premier League clubs are interested in Perisic, who is hot property after contributing 10 goals and 10 assists in 41 appearances for the Italian giants this term.

    And, according to The Sun, United are set to land the Croatia international for a fee in the region of £40m.

    It claimed Perisic has agreed a £100,000-a-week deal to move to Old Trafford this summer.

    Jose Mourinho reportedly gave the go-ahead to complete a deal after United won the Europa League to book their place in next season’s Champions League.

    Perisic, who joined Inter from Wolfsburg in 2015, is under contract with Milan until 2020.

    The Serie A giants are reportedly willing to sell Perisic to sidestep Financial Fair Play issues and that could mean striking a deal before June 30.

    And Inter sporting director Piero Ausilio confirmed United’s interest last night.

    He said: “[United] haven’t made us an official offer for Perisic but their interest is there.

    “We want to improve Inter and this is why we do not have any sellable or un-sellable players as of now.

    “We know that we already have many important players within our roster like Perisic and before we decide to sell him, we have to think about what’s best for Inter.

    “For me we have an as good squad or maybe even a better squad than most of the teams who finished ahead of us.

    “We don’t need all that much, we will certainly make some moves but we will first have to see what our new coach will want.”