José Mourinho, the outspoken football manager currently at Fenerbahce, has expressed his strong views on the current state of modern football, criticizing it as "the kingdom of superficiality and clichés." This declaration came during a thought-provoking interview with Ivan Zazzaroni at Corriere dello Sport, where he articulated his frustrations with how the sport is perceived and managed today.
Mourinho remarked, "Il calcio è il regno della superficialità e dei luoghi comuni e un’etichetta non si nega a nessuno," highlighting his belief this superficiality leads to misjudgments about coaches and players alike. He stated, "Di solito quando la gente parla di me pensa a cosa è successo quindici, dodici, otto o dieci anni fa,” emphasizing how he feels past accomplishments overshadow current realities.
Reflecting on his experience at AS Roma, where he led the team to several finals, he mentioned, "Negli ultimi anni ho fatto tre finali, una con il Manchester United e due con la Roma." He noted the pride he felt accomplishing this with a club with lesser historical stature on the European stage, stating, "Guardo a tutto ciò un po’ divertito, e allo stesso tempo con orgoglio perché quando fai questo con un club senza storia in Europa, ti rendi conto che hai realizzato qualcosa di speciale.”
Despite the achievements, Mourinho expressed regrets about his decisions, particularly concerning his exit from Roma. He confessed, "Avrei dovuto lasciare la Roma, non l’ho fatto e ho sbagliato.” This admission points to complex emotions surrounding his time at the club, intertwining both nostalgia and foresight.
Mourinho’s frustrations extend beyond his personal experiences, addressing what he perceives as issues with football management structures. He criticized the increasing dependency on inexperienced power brokers and the gradual diminishment of the coach's role. "Oggi l’allenatore è diventato progressivamente meno importante e sempre più dipendente da strutture e personaggi il più delle volte impreparati," he noted, underscoring how the sport has evolved ineffectively.
Looking to the future, Mourinho hinted at his desire to coach at the international level, stating, "Certo che tornerei in Italia. Voglio anche giocare un Europeo o un Mondiale." His aspirations reflect not only his ambition but also his deep connection to Italian football and the fans he has worked with over the years.
While Mourinho’s statements may stir debates within the footballing community, they provide valuable insight from a manager who has been at the forefront of the sport for over two decades. His critiques resonate with many who see parallels between football’s growth and its resulting pitfalls.
Modern football continues to grapple with complex issues, and as Mourinho shines the spotlight on these dilemmas, his voice remains one of the most prominent within the discourse. His mixture of pride and regret paints the picture of a man deeply invested—not just in winning, but also in preserving the integrity and essence of the game.