The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Jose Mourinho

  • Criticism hurting Rooney – Mourinho

    Criticism hurting Rooney – Mourinho

    Manchester United boss, Jose Mourinho, has hit out at the Football Association’s failure to protect Wayne Rooney, saying a week of negative headlines involving the England captain has had “an effect.”

    Rooney, 31, is expected to face Arsenal at Old Trafford on Saturday after training at Carrington following his departure from the England squad with a minor knee injury.

    Since being released from Gareth Southgate’s squad, reports of Rooney allegedly drinking into the early hours at the England team hotel, with accompanying photographs, led to claims he could be stripped of England captaincy.

    He has issued an apology and the Football Association has said it will be conducting a “proper investigation” into reports that members of England’s backroom staff had been with him.

    While sources within the FA told ESPN no decision will be made on Rooney’s status until a permanent manager has been appointed, Mourinho suggested at a news conference that the FA had failed to properly look after Rooney.

    “I am saying that I think even if you build a kind of wall around you to try to feel protected from what people write about you or think about you, the comments people make about you, even if you tried to build that wall, the wall has always points of fragility,” ESPN quoted the ex- Chelsea manager as saying on Saturday.

  • Wenger gets more respect than me – Mourinho

    Wenger gets more respect than me – Mourinho

    Manchester United manager, Jose Mourinho believes old foe Arsene Wenger is given more respect than him.

    The pair’s relationship on the touchlines and away from it has been an intriguing one over the years, with the spotlight returning to the duo ahead of Saturday’s Premier League clash between United and Arsenal.

    Mourinho, who has lost only one of 15 previous meetings with Wenger, labelled the Frenchman a “specialist in failure” in early 2014, but there were no such inflammatory remarks on Friday. The Portuguese does clearly feel though that he is afforded less respect than a manager who last won the Premier League in 2004.

    “The records against any other manager being good or bad is not important,” Mourinho said.

    “For me, the only thing that matters is what you get globally as a team. Our team’s results, our CV, if you want to go to that direction.

    “In the Premier League, tomorrow is a match between the two managers with the best record in the Premier League.

    “Sir Alex Ferguson isn’t here anymore. Tomorrow, I think between the two managers we are speaking about, I think (we have) six or seven Premier League titles (between us). I have three, he has three or four.

    “Does that mean we should be respected, even in periods where our results are not the best? I think Mr Wenger has that respect from all of you, I don’t think I have, especially because my last Premier League title was 18 months ago, not 18 years ago.

    “I don’t think I get that respect. But to be honest, I just follow my way because I want to win a ninth championship and I want to win a fourth Premier League.”

     

     

  • Fenerbahce 2–1 Man Utd: Pogba injured as Emenike enjoys win

    Fenerbahce 2–1 Man Utd: Pogba injured as Emenike enjoys win

    Emmanuel Emenike was on the winning side as Turkish giants Fenerbahce defeated Manchester United 2-1 in the Europa Cup match played this evening.

    Senegalese international Moussa Sow gave the visitors the lead inside the first two minutes as he met a delightful cross from Hasan Ali Kaldirim with a sensational overhead kick from just the edge of the box to make it 1-0.

    The Red Devils lost Paul Pogba in the first half as he went down under a heavy challenge from Souza and was replaced by Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

    Fenerbahce won a freekick on the edge of the United box and Lens curled the ball past David de Gea. Jose Mourinho immediately sent on Henrik Mkhitaryan for youngster Marcus Rashford.

    Fenerbahce substitue, Emmanuel Emenike was through on goal just seconds after his introduction from the bench, but the former Nigeria international could not take the ball in his stride and was eventually denied by a mixture of Daley Blind and De Gea.

    Emenike continued to look the most likely on the break as Fenerbahce went in search of a killer third goal, but he was once again kept out by De Gea before falling agonisingly short of tapping home a low cross from Lens at the far post.

    Those missed opportunities almost came back to haunt Dick Advocaat’s side when Rooney drilled a 25-yard piledriver into the top corner with just one minute left of normal time, moving within two goals of Sir Bobby Charlton in United’s all-time goalscoring list and level with Ruud van Nistelrooy as the club’s top scorer in European competition with 38.

  • Man Utd: Bastian Schweinsteiger’s training return a ‘human’ decision – Mourinho

    Man Utd: Bastian Schweinsteiger’s training return a ‘human’ decision – Mourinho

    Manchester United boss, Jose Mourinho said it was a “human and professional decision” to allow midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger to rejoin first-team training this week.

    The former Germany captain, 32, has trained alone or with the under-23 side since Mourinho took charge this summer.

    Schweinsteiger last played for United in March, under Mourinho’s predecessor Louis van Gaal. “Schweinsteiger is back,” said Mourinho.

    The Portuguese, whose side face Fenerbahce in the Europa League on Thursday, suggested fewer players taking part in training influenced his decision.

    He said Schweinsteiger may play for United again despite recent reports suggesting he will leave in the January transfer window.
    “If he stays with us he becomes one more option,” said Mourinho. “In this moment we have no problems in midfield like we do in defence.”

    Schweinsteiger, a 2014 World Cup winner, was named in United’s Premier League squad for this season, but left out of their Europa League squad.

    He has made 31 appearances for the club since his £14.4m move from Bayern Munich in July 2015.

  • Life in Manchester “bit of a disaster’’ – Mourinho

    Life in Manchester “bit of a disaster’’ – Mourinho

    Manchester United manager, Jose Mourinho has said he has struggled to adapt to life in Manchester, labeling his living arrangement in the city as “bit of a disaster’’.

    The Portuguese has endured a mixed start to his stint as United’s boss, having lost three of his nine league games, including a 4-0 hammering in the hands of Chelsea on Sunday.

    Away from the pitch, the 53-year old said he was far from settled in England’s north-west city, staying without his family for the first time.

    “For me it’s a bit of a disaster because I want sometimes to walk a little bit and I can’t.

    “I just want to cross the bridge and go for a restaurant. I can’t, so it is really bad.

    “Buy a house? I do not know, I do not know. The reality is that my daughter will be 20 next week; my son will be 17 in a couple of months.

    “They are very stable. So, they are in an age where they can’t chase me like they did before. So, for the first time the family lives in a different way.

    “We try to feel it, we try to see the evolution of our feelings and see how we cope with the situation.’’

    Mourinho also expressed frustration at dealing with the constant attention of the paparazzi.

    “You know the history of the paparazzi. For the hotel and the brand that sponsors me, the clothes brand, it’s amazing because they are there every day,’’ Mourinho added.

    “Everybody knows the name of the hotel. Everybody knows the last arrivals of that brand. So, for them, it is amazing.’’

    Mourinho will seek a quick response from his side after the defeat against his former side when they take on rivals Manchester City in the League Cup Wednesday.

  • UEFA: Europa League draws

    UEFA: Europa League draws

    Manchester United will face Fenerbahce, Feyenoord and Zorya Luhansk in the group stage of the Europa League, following the competition’s draw made on Friday.

    Manchester United pitches tent against Fenerbahce of Turkey while Southampton, the other Premier League side still in the competition, will take on Inter Milan, Sparta Prague and Hapoel Beer Sheva.

    League of Ireland side Dundalk have been drawn with Zenit St Petersburg, AZ Alkmaar and Maccabi Tel-Aviv.

    The match dates for the group stage are Sept. 15 and Sept. 29, Oct. 20, Nov. 3 and Nov. 24, and Dec. 8.

    Reacting to the draw, Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho said he knew little about Ukrainian opponents Zorya but welcomed being drawn with Fenerbahce and Feyenoord.

    “We all know the competition is not the same as the Champions League, but to have Manchester United playing against clubs with tradition like Fenerbahce and Feyenoord is good for us,” he said.

    “We know that it will be a difficult group, but I think that is a good thing. It is good for the fans and for the players because it will help motivation.’’

    Full draw:

    Group A: Manchester United, Fenerbahce, Feyenoord, Zorya Luhansk

    Group B: Olympiacos, Apoel Nicosia, Young Boys, Astana

    Group C: Anderlecht, St Etienne, Mainz, Qabala

    Group D: Zenit St Petersburg, AZ Alkmaar, Maccabi Tel-Aviv, Dundalk

    Group E: Plzen, Roma, Austria Vienna, FC Astra Giurgiu

    Group F: Athletic Bilbao, Genk, Rapid Vienna, Sassuolo

    Group G: Ajax, Standard Liege, Celta Vigo, Panathinaikos

    Group H: Shakhtar Donetsk, Braga, Gent, Konyaspor

    Group I: Schalke 04, FC Red Bull Salzburg, Krasnodar, Nice

    Group J: Fiorentina, PAOK Salonika, Liberec, Qarabag

    Group K: Inter Milan, Sparta Prague, Southampton, Hapoel Beer Sheva

    Group L: Villarreal, Steaua Bucharest, FC Zurich, Osmanlispor

  • Chelsea confirm Conte as new manager

    Chelsea confirm Conte as new manager

    Chelsea football club have confirmed Antonio Conte as the new manager ending months of speculations by football fans.

     

    Antonio Conte penning down a three- year contract deal with the London club on Monday and he will take charge by next season.

    Chelsea  sacked Jose Mourinho in December after an unimpressive performance and the start of the season and hired  Guus Hiddink as the interim coach for the team.

    The Blues are still unbeaten in the Premier League since the Dutchman took over – their 15-game streak is the longest undefeated run in the division this season – and still have a slim chance of qualifying for Europe.

    However, the Italy coach will remain in charge of the Azzurri at European Champion 2016, after which he will take the reins at Stamford Bridge having beaten off plenty of competition to land the job

     

  • BREAKING: Chelsea sack Mourinho

    BREAKING: Chelsea sack Mourinho

    Chelsea Football Club has finally relieved Jose Mourinho of his duty as the club’s coach, seven months after leading the club to Premier league.

    The club on Thursday made the announcement in a statement saying: “Chelsea Football Club and Jose Mourinho have today parted company by mutual consent.

    “All at Chelsea thank Jose for his immense contribution since he returned as manager in the summer of 2013.

    “His three league titles, FA Cup, Community Shield and three League Cup wins over two spells make him the most successful manager in our 110-year history.

    From BBC Sport
    From BBC Sport

    “But both Jose and the board agreed results have not been good enough this season and believe it is in the best interests of both parties to go our separate ways.

    “The club wishes to make clear Jose leaves us on good terms and will always remain a much-loved, respected and significant figure at Chelsea.

    “His legacy at Stamford Bridge and in England has long been guaranteed and he will always be warmly welcomed back to Stamford Bridge.

    “The club’s focus is now on ensuring our talented squad reaches its potential.

    “There will be no further comment until a new appointment is made.”

    [news_box style=”2″ display=”tag” link_target=”_blank” tag=”Jose Mourinho” count=”4″ show_more=”on” show_more_type=”link”]

  • Chelsea behind Mourinho – Mikel

    Chelsea behind Mourinho – Mikel

    Super Eagles midfielder, John Obi Mikel, has said the Chelsea players are behind embattled manager Jose Mourinho, stating the Portuguese can improve the Premier League champions’ fortunes.

    Mikel was part of the Blues side that lost 1-3 at home to Liverpool on Saturday to further increase the pressure on the coach after six defeats in 11 league outings, Goal reports.

    Four points from three Champions League games and a League Cup exit at the hands of Stoke City have added to Mourinho’s difficult campaign, with reports suggesting an element of unhappiness in the Chelsea dressing room.

    But Mikel said, “We are right behind the manager. There’s no doubt about it.

    “In training we work very hard. If anyone can turn this around, we definitely think Mourinho is the one.

    “Last year we were champions. We won two trophies. Jose knows this club more than any other manager. He’s the most successful manager in the club’s history.

    “I definitely think that, if anything is wrong, if anything can be fixed, he is the one.”

    As speculation regarding Mourinho’s future continues to swirl, former Chelsea bosses Guus Hiddink and Carlo Ancelotti are said to be targets over a short-term return to the club.

    However, Mikel maintains any desire to see an end to Mourinho’s second reign at Chelsea comes from outside the dressing room.

  • Chelsea to include Moses in deal for Everton star

    Chelsea to include Moses in deal for Everton star

    Chelsea is considering throwing in Nigeria winger Victor Moses as part of a deal to lure England and Everton defender, John Stones, to Stamford Bridge.

    The English champion had already submitted a 20 million pounds bid for the 21-year-old England star who is seen as a long-term replacement for skipper John Terry, who has signed a year’s extension, africanFootball.com reports.

    The club will now launch a fresh 26 million pounds bid with reports suggesting Everton will only do business if a bid in excess of 30 million pounds is submitted by “The Blues.”

    According to Mailonline, Chelsea now believes the deal clincher will be to add Moses to the fresh 26 million pounds offer for Stones.

    The ex-Wigan winger has also been linked with a move to Chelsea’s London rivals Tottenham Hotspur after the possibilities of a return to Stoke City, where he played on loan last season, appear to have diminished.

    He is currently on a pre-season training tour of North America with Chelsea.