by Paul Large
When Alex Ferguson retired, a void was left in the Premier League. A big part of the theatre of the League would go missing, the rivalry between managers and the psychological jostling would not be as evident as undoubtedly the king of mind games was no longer around. It appears we have a new master.
Jose Mourinho has stepped up to the table as the de facto mind games master. Given that he is also the best manager in the league sometimes it is hard to distinguish what is achieved through managerial skill and what has or has not been aided by mind games. For instance going to Man City and getting a win at a time when City looked impregnable can be attributed to a brilliant game plan and the players executing it more than anything else. Mind games alone do not win the battle. But it certainly helps.
Jose Mourinho has stepped up to the table as the de facto mind games master. Given that he is also the best manager in the league sometimes it is hard to distinguish what is achieved through managerial skill and what has or has not been aided by mind games. For instance going to Man City and getting a win at a time when City looked impregnable can be attributed to a brilliant game plan and the players executing it more than anything else. Mind games alone do not win the battle. But it certainly helps.
Mourinho vs Wenger
| What Has Been Said (in summary) Mourinho: We cannot win the League we are not ready yet (little horses in the race). Wenger: Only someone afraid of failure would say they cannot win the League in their current position. Mourinho: Wenger is the master of failure. Wenger: I am embarrassed for Mourinho On Wenger reaching 1000 games. Mourinho says he "admires" both the club and Wenger for sticking it out despite many "bad moments". | Results Arsenal 0-0 Chelsea Chelsea 6-0 Arsenal 
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Ever since Mourinho's first stint in the Premier League, he has successfully taken the pressure away from his own players. When he first arrived his ego alone could achieve this, this season he has used a horses analogy, which no one has bought given that people are no longer unaware to his motives.
Should Managers Respond?
Only after Wenger rose to the bait, did Mourinho brand him a master of failure. Rising to the challenge, Wenger essentially put himself in the firing line for a war of words. Which is not wise given Mourinho lacks respect! The last time a manager rose to a masters bait in a title race, was Rafa Benitez when Liverpool challenged Man Utd for the title in 2009. That was effectively the end of Liverpool's title challenge. Arsenal's title challenge this season has gone the same way.
Though truthful, the master of failure comment broke a boundary of respect between managers. What is more alarming however is that Arsenal as a team did not rally after these insults where levelled at themselves and their manager. They went to Stamford Bridge and rolled over.
Should Managers Respond?
Only after Wenger rose to the bait, did Mourinho brand him a master of failure. Rising to the challenge, Wenger essentially put himself in the firing line for a war of words. Which is not wise given Mourinho lacks respect! The last time a manager rose to a masters bait in a title race, was Rafa Benitez when Liverpool challenged Man Utd for the title in 2009. That was effectively the end of Liverpool's title challenge. Arsenal's title challenge this season has gone the same way.
Though truthful, the master of failure comment broke a boundary of respect between managers. What is more alarming however is that Arsenal as a team did not rally after these insults where levelled at themselves and their manager. They went to Stamford Bridge and rolled over.
Mourinho left before the final whistle at Stamford Bridge and did not shake Wenger’s hand. It is clear he has no respect for Wenger. Mourinho may well have had some ribs at his favourite joint, Frank Underwood style as he devoured his opponent with words off the pitch, then with actions on the pitch.
Mourinho vs Moyes
Remember when Fergie used to praise and say nice things about another manager. We knew this meant that Fergie perceived those managers to have no threat to him whatsoever. Let’s just look at some of the things Mourinho has had to say about Moyes this season.
| "Yes, he's the right man for the job. They can still make the top four. It won't be easy, they know that. They know they are in the limit for the top four, and they also know that teams like us, Liverpool and Arsenal are doing OK. So it won't be easy for them to close such a big gap. But it's possible." "I feel sorry for them," Mourinho said. "I never enjoy it when somebody is having some problems, like they're having. But United are United. David is experienced enough to cope with the situation, and the future will be better for them.” | 
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Man Utd have struggled and it is clear Mourinho does not view them as a current or future rival, this is epitomised in the sale of Juan Mata.
Mourinho vs Pellegrini
| What Has Been Said ‘If they [Real Madrid] get rid of me, I won’t be going to coach Málaga. I will go to a big club in the Premier League or Serie A.’ Mourinho in 2010 ‘I don’t know him. He worked in Spain, I worked in another club. We played Real Madrid against Malaga, nothing more. I don’t have any complaint about him.’ Pellegrini in 2013 ‘Maybe it is a small horse if the manager thinks like that. It can be a little horse, but very rich. This is the team that has spent most money in the last 10 years, is the team that spent most money this year and the team that spent the most money in the transfer window. So, little – but rich.’ Pellegrini in 2014 | ‘Academically he is an engineer and he does not need a calculator to work it out. Mata was sold for £37m, De Bruyne £18m. That is £55m. We brought in Matic for £21m and Salah for £11m – that is £32m. So £55m less £32m is £23m. So for Chelsea in this window it is £23m – he does not need a calculator for this.’ Mourinho in 2014 Results Chelsea 2-1 Man City Man City 0-1 Chelsea |
Pellegrini takes a defensive stance in his comments, and the Mourinho comment from 2010 can not be taken into context, however the timing of its release (before the first fixture) was uncanny. After the 1-0 loss at home, one would be influenced to think, is this manager good enough to take City to the title? The nature of the comment raises doubt in Pellegrini's ability and if a squad's morale and belief is not high, comments such as this sustained over a period of time and mixed results can derail a side. The timing of the 2010 comment resurfacing definitely worked in Mourinho's favour.
A slice of luck and an opportunist Fernando Torres decided the first game whilst the second game saw Chelsea stake their claim to the title and outplay Man City at home, something that had not previously been done all season. Make no mistake this win was pure brilliance from Chelsea from preparation to execution. Mourinho talked the talk and his players executed his plans.
A slice of luck and an opportunist Fernando Torres decided the first game whilst the second game saw Chelsea stake their claim to the title and outplay Man City at home, something that had not previously been done all season. Make no mistake this win was pure brilliance from Chelsea from preparation to execution. Mourinho talked the talk and his players executed his plans.
Guerrilla Tactics
| Chelsea have always been a club with plenty of strong personalities. This is mirrored in their transfer market activity. The purchase of Willian came at a time when Chelsea had three of the best attacking midfielders around. They didn’t need him. They bought him so he would not strengthen a rival, at the time of speaking it was looking like Tottenham. Willian has come into the side and proved a good signing but at the time with Mata Hazard and Oscar already in the side. Signing Willian was excessive. | 
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The signings of Willian and Salah showed Chelsea are capable of purchasing players they do not always need to avoid strengthening their rivals.
| The signing of Salah, or the daylight robbery of Salah as Liverpool fans might view it, happened for similar reasons. They simply did not need Salah. But rather than see him thrive in an ever improving Liverpool squad. Chelsea are in a position to buy and have him warm the bench. |
No team has leveraged their position of power better than Chelsea this season. They have put their Champions League position, and finances (the two things which make them powerful) to wonderful use. If we look at Man Utd in contrast.
Man Utd's power stems from their ability to pay top salaries and prices for players, and the fact they are genuinely one of the biggest clubs in world football. There is a certain prestige of being able to call yourself a Man Utd player. But rather than being put to good effect, these points have been exploited.
Marouane Fellaini has and will continue to be a feckless use of 25 million. Rooney has been indulged with a new contract, and Van Persie looks set to follow. Whilst Mata was ruthlessly dismissed and bought for what now looks like an extortionate fee. Time will tell for Mata as he is still a quality player, such an action serves as an example to the rest of the squad. No Chelsea players will be under any illusions that they are bigger than they are. The same cannot be said at Utd.
Man Utd's power stems from their ability to pay top salaries and prices for players, and the fact they are genuinely one of the biggest clubs in world football. There is a certain prestige of being able to call yourself a Man Utd player. But rather than being put to good effect, these points have been exploited.
Marouane Fellaini has and will continue to be a feckless use of 25 million. Rooney has been indulged with a new contract, and Van Persie looks set to follow. Whilst Mata was ruthlessly dismissed and bought for what now looks like an extortionate fee. Time will tell for Mata as he is still a quality player, such an action serves as an example to the rest of the squad. No Chelsea players will be under any illusions that they are bigger than they are. The same cannot be said at Utd.
the kings of penalties?
Earlier in the season Jose claimed indirectly that Liverpool where the kings of winning penalties. He can only have said this as an outright moan, or to raise awareness that Liverpool win a lot of penalties. In the hope that general awareness of this reduces the amount of decisions Liverpool get. Leading to referees thinking twice the next time they are faced with the decision of awarding a penalty. Reputations carry a lot of weight and a few seasons ago Luis Suarez couldn't win a penalty to save his life given his reputation of diving. If Liverpool were to gain a reputation for winning a lot of penalties this undoubtedly may influence a referee's mindset.
A few games later, Liverpool are awarded 3 penalties at Old Trafford. So this clearly failed. Or Jose could simply have been moaning. But don't be suprised if Mourinho ignites more penalty talk coming up to the Liverpool game.
A few games later, Liverpool are awarded 3 penalties at Old Trafford. So this clearly failed. Or Jose could simply have been moaning. But don't be suprised if Mourinho ignites more penalty talk coming up to the Liverpool game.
Mourinho has won both home and away against Pellegrini whilst taking 4 points from Arsenal. There is a strong correlation here given he has engaged with these managers the most from a mind games perspective. He definitely sees them as his biggest rivals, maybe less so Arsenal and more so Liverpool now. Given Brendan Rodgers is a good friend and was once an understudy. It would be interesting to see how their relationship develops next season when Liverpool may be genuine contenders from the outset.
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