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Barry Glendenning, Fri 25 Oct 2024, 11:55 EDT
First published on Fri 25 Oct 2024, 11:05 EDT
José Mourinho has made a name for himself with his famous claim that he “cannot speak,” yet he always seems to find plenty to say. During his pre-match press conference ahead of Fenerbahce’s European fixture against Manchester United, he appeared relaxed, clearly enjoying his time with former colleagues from the press. And why wouldn’t he? Many in attendance were eager to indulge his humor with loud, often undeserved laughter that you typically hear at such events.
A few journalists covered the encounter with such reverence that it felt almost like reading a script from a Disney movie. Even though Mourinho may no longer be considered one of the top managers in the world, he remains a magnet for admirers among broadcasters, writers, and fans—those who affectionately refer to him as “a character” but seem to overlook his often unlikable demeanor.
Before the 1-1 draw in Istanbul, Mourinho made sure to praise the opposing team as if they were a version of Sir Alex Ferguson’s Treble-winning squad rather than perhaps the weakest Manchester United side in recent memory. This strategy was classic Mourinho, ensuring that no matter how the game ended, he could spin it into a point of pride for his team. Sure enough, in post-match comments, when asked if he was satisfied with the draw against a club that had previously dismissed him, he insisted, “They got a point against us, not us against them.”
After being sent to the stands by referee Clément Turpin for protesting a decision not to award a penalty for what he believed was a foul, Mourinho took his time leaving the touchline before sharing his thoughts on Turpin’s red card decision. “He told me something incredible,” Mourinho said. “He claimed that at the same time, he could see the action in the box and my behavior on the touchline. I have to congratulate him for his amazing peripheral vision. During the game, at 100 miles per hour, he managed to keep one eye on the penalty situation and the other on me. That’s why he is one of the best referees in the world.”
After sarcastically critiquing the French official’s performance—just the latest in a long line of referees he’s targeted—Mourinho was asked if he had reviewed the decision he had been so vocal about. Notably, he refrained from accusing Turpin of any wrongdoing, likely aware that his arguments lacked substance. “I watched the incident, but I won’t comment on it,” he said, already having made his views clear elsewhere.
In other football news, Ian Holloway recently expressed his excitement about returning to management after a hiatus. “I’m thrilled to be back working in football,” he said. “This opportunity is a perfect fit for me. I’m delighted to be involved with Swindon Town, a club I know well from my local knowledge.” He aims to turn around the fortunes of the Robins, currently struggling at the bottom of the League Two table.
Meanwhile, the situation surrounding Roberto Mancini has shifted dramatically. Originally enthusiastic about his move to Saudi Arabia in August, where he was set to earn a reported €25 million a year, Mancini and the Saudi Football Federation have parted ways after a mixed record of seven wins in 18 matches.
As for the Football Daily letters, readers had plenty to say. Comments ranged from a humorous take on Cesc Fàbregas’ pizza throwing to frustrations over perceived trolling of Arsenal fans. One reader even raised a tech issue about their email experience, earning them a mention in today’s highlights.
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