Football Daily | José Mourinho's Charisma: Trouble in His Wake

Name a manager with the ability to turn heads and raise eyebrows, and José Mourinho will undoubtedly be at the top of that list. Despite his self-proclaimed inability to articulate, the Portuguese maestro managed to fill the air with his trademark bravado during a pre-match press conference ahead of Fenerbahce's crucial match against Manchester United. Sporting a relaxed demeanor, Mourinho seemed to revel in the company of his old friends from the English media, basking in the warmth of their enthusiastic laughter at his not-so-hilarious quips. A few indulgent journalists took it upon themselves to recount the encounter with such unabashed admiration that their reports could have very well been penned by a children’s storybook character. Though Mourinho may no longer reign supreme among football's elite, his knack for captivating the ever-obsequious media remains unparalleled. Supporters and commentators may call him "a character" but conveniently overlook that he often embodies less savory traits. As the stage was set for last night's 1-1 draw in Istanbul, Mourinho took time to elevate the visiting side’s threat, likening them to Sir Alex Ferguson’s legendary Treble-winning squad, rather than acknowledging that current Manchester United might be the most underwhelming iteration of the team in the last three decades. Sticking closely to his well-worn tactics, Mourinho ensured that, regardless of the match outcome, he could fashion it into a win for his own side. And so it was, as he responded post-match to a question about whether he was satisfied with the point earned against a club that once dismissed him, asserting, "They got a point against us, not us against them." After being sent to the stands by referee Clément Turpin for vehemently protesting a non-penalty decision involving a foul by Manuel Ugarte on Bright Osayi-Samuel, Mourinho took his time to depart the touchline. Once settled, he proceeded to critique the French referee’s decision to issue a red card. "He said something astonishing," Mourinho offered. "He claimed he could see both the foul in the box and my actions on the sidelines simultaneously. I commend him for his extraordinary peripheral vision! To observe both a penalty situation and my antics amid the fray—that's quite the achievement. That is clearly why he is considered one of the finest referees in the world." In a classic display of his signature sarcasm, Mourinho took aim at the official—just the latest to endure his notorious tirades. When pressed about whether he had revisited the contentious decision surrounded by his earlier protests, he withheld criticism, stating, "I examined the incident, but I won’t discuss it further," despite having expressed his opinions loudly enough in the past. Live updates come from Xaymaca Awoyungbo covering the women’s friendly match between England and Germany at Wembley (kick-off 7:30 PM BST), featuring Scott Murray's coverage of the Premier League clash between Leicester and Nottingham Forest (kick-off 8 PM BST). In managerial news, Ian Holloway is back in the saddle, eager to make waves with Swindon Town, a club he knows intimately due to his local ties. "I’m elated to return to football after a break. This opportunity fits me perfectly, and working with a club like Swindon Town is particularly fulfilling as I have substantial knowledge about this area," he expressed. Meanwhile, elsewhere in the football cosmos, Roberto Mancini has been appointed as Saudi Arabia's new national team manager, reportedly securing a staggering €25 million-a-year contract through to 2027. However, reports indicate that by October 2024, the Saudi Football Federation and Mancini would part ways after an underwhelming run of seven victories from his 18 matches in charge. In the realm of reader correspondence, one reader humorously highlights Cesc Fàbregas’ claim about throwing a pizza at an opponent, calling it a way to 'bring something to the table.' Another suggests the Football Daily has become a tad too cheeky with Arsenal supporters, urging for more serious journalism instead of playful banter. Finally, one reader raises a tech issue with the newsletter—expressing frustration over intermittent blank pages in their evening emails. All in a day’s work for football scribes and readers alike!