Jose Mourinho Blasted by France Football Ahead of PSG vs. Chelsea
France Football magazine has dealt Jose Mourinho a round of insults upon the Special One landing in the country ahead of his Chelsea side's Champions League round of 16 first-leg against Paris Saint-Germain.
As reported by Daniel Taylor of The Guardian, Mourinho has arrived to something of a hostile reception from this area of the local press:
"The latest France Football has a picture of Jose Mourinho on the cover and a headline of 'L’Emmerdeur' that, to be kind, is a way of describing the Chelsea manager as a pain in the neck. In a more literal translation – and the compliment is repeated inside in the form of 'l’emmerdeur professionnel'—the most respected football magazine in France has just renamed the Special One as 'the S--t Stirrer'.
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Mourinho's reputation for mind games is something we continue to witness every week in the Premier League. From his claim referees have a "campaign" against Chelsea, reported by Sky Sports, to his recent media blackout, the Portuguese manager is known for playing on the mental side of the game.
Over a year on from his "little horse" analogy, per Phil McNulty of BBC Sport, Mourinho's Blues have developed into a powerful specimen who are ready to dominate the Premier League for years to come. Despite losing 3-1 in Paris last year—before knocking PSG out on away goals with a 2-0 win at Stamford Bridge—Mourinho will be confident of securing a positive result ahead of a run for the Champions League.
Things could have been so different, however. "I know the PSG project well because when they started this project, with the owner, the president and Leonardo, I was to be the coach," said Mourinho, per Taylor.
PSG missed their chance to welcome one of the sport's most intense bosses, however. Judging on France Football's coverage, this was probably best for all involved.
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