Jose Mourinho Criticises Liverpool Response to Jurgen Klopp, Talks Chelsea, More

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has spoken of his dismay at the mindset of modern-day footballers, insisting a new leader shouldn’t be necessary to galvanise a squad of toiling players, as has been the case with Jurgen Klopp and Liverpool.

Speaking with Michael Walker of the Daily Mail, the Portuguese touched upon a variety of different topics in a revealing interview. But Mourinho seemed especially disappointed by the reaction to the Reds’ appointment of Klopp and the subsequent spike in motivational levels; according to Jose, if they can perform that way for the German, why not for his predecessor, Brendan Rodgers?:

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You know, I feel sorry that somebody lost his job. And it is quite sad that football in this moment—even in this country—is happy with it.

I'm not speaking about Jurgen, I've a good relationship with him and nothing will change that. I'm speaking about the circumstances that made Brendan Rodgers lose his job. I don't like people being excited that a new manager is coming. I don't like a player to say, "Now, we are going to give extra to prove to the new manager". Give to Brendan! Not to the new manager.

I don't like this at all. It's part of my world I don't like. My world is changing so much. It's getting worse.

"

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There was a clear upturn in effort levels from the Reds when they took to the field for Klopp’s first game in charge, a 0-0 draw against Tottenham Hotspur. While Liverpool didn't carve out many chances, there was a renewed vigour about the team in their work off the ball.

As we can see here courtesy of football journalist Viktor Fagerstrom, it was clear by the post-match statistics the players put more yards in for Klopp than they had done for Rodgers:

Mourinho has concerns to address when it comes to his own team, though. The 2-0 win over Aston Villa in the Premier League on Saturday gave him some welcome relief after an awful run of results, but there is still a lot of work for this team to do to haul themselves back into contention for the title this season.

“The reality is that I've never lost so many matches in a three-month period,” said Mourinho. “It's strange. Strange for me. But it's a good experience.” He continued, explaining this spell has been and will be an anomaly in what’s an otherwise distinguished managerial career:

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What is happening to me after 15 years should have happened before. It's not normal, not normal. In 15 years, in only one did I not win a major title. In 15 years I won 22 major titles. It's too much. It's too much. ...

Of course I'm entitled to one bad season. There are guys who have one good season out of 20. Some of them not even one good. I'm entitled. I don't need to prove.

"

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While Mourinho has a remarkable managerial pedigree, his previous successes mean he is held to a much higher standard than most coaches. Naturally, when things aren’t going well, criticism will come, just as it would do for any manager. 

Still, the former Real Madrid boss thinks some in the media go a little over the top when analysing the team’s issues, citing it as the “culture of the vulture.” “When they feel something can happen, they [pundits] start circling” continued the Chelsea boss. “It's something I never did.”

Mourinho continued: “Some of the pundits are really brave. To criticise someone with my history, you need to be brave, as there is a risk someone like myself will say, ‘Shut up. You've won nothing in your life.’ But I won't do that. I just work and hope that the good results are coming.”

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While Mourinho’s point seems valid on Klopp, in any walk of life a new leader, a different voice and refreshing ideas can always prompt people into offering a little bit more for the cause. Given the Portuguese is a manager who has changed clubs throughout his managerial career, you’d imagine he more than most would understand what is a fundamental human trait.

The Chelsea chief may be unhappy with the criticism he’s receiving, but this predicament is a brilliant chance to prove his mettle as a manager. Mourinho’s achievements have been decried in some quarters because the clubs he has been in charge of have had everything in place for success; turning the Blues around now would be a major endorsement of his leadership skills.