World Cup 2010: Jose Mourinho’s magic touch appreciated by Maradona
Jose Mourinho, one of the most talked figures in the world of football, is not coaching any team in the World Cup. Yet one can see the hidden role and impact this marvellous manager has had on this year’s tournament in South Africa.
The Portuguese based, new Real Madrid coach is being credited as ‘The Best Coach’ of his generation. He has made headlines even when he is not a part of any coaching staff involved in the World Cup. Some may argue with his style of play but even the exact opposite of Mourinho, Diego Maradona had praise for the flamboyant coach. It is interesting to see how his coaching tactics and trained players are making an impact on the tournament.
The management and coaching staff of many teams participating in the tournament are under immense pressure because of their poor performances at the Group stage of the World Cup. The role of strong management has gone beyond player strength, where now teams even lacking star players can upset the bigger teams. The same thing happened when Spain, a team whose bench is even stronger than most of other teams, lost its opening match to Switzerland.
Spain was shocked, as was the whole world, but that is not new to the game. The match was in many ways an exact replica of the Champions League semi-final last season in which Mourinho’s-11 defeated Barcelona by implementing perfect defence tactics. With the presence of Messi and many other stars, Barcelona looked unbeatable but Mourinho showed the whole world that even the strongest of the teams can be beaten if they are made to play on their strengths. The Swiss coach implemented the same tactics and saw his team create a huge upset in the very first round of the Group stage. For most of the critics it was one of the biggest upsets seen in decades because of the label of ‘Favourites’ attached with the Spanish team.
If we go beyond management, Mourinho’s role is even sparkling in the form of the players who were trained by him the last season. Brazil is rocking n’ rolling in the tournament because of the performances of most of the Inter-Milan players, including the likes of Maicon and Lucio. Brazil is winning not by attacking but by quality defending and through some amazing performances by its right back Maicon. Lucio also seems an improved player and is without doubt the best defender in the group stage of the World Cup. Schneider is another classy example of Mourinho’s capabilities. The mid-fielder who was rejected by Real Madrid is the star performer in the Dutch Squad. His role is beyond doubt most significant in making Holland win three straight matches with relative ease.
Diego Maradona, the Argentinean coach, has recently admired the ability of Mourinho to win matches. Maradona is now-a-days puzzled by the decision of selection of players for the next match against Mexico. All his strikers and mid-fielders are in sublime form and it looks a very daunting task, to decide which players to drop for the next match. Maradona said in front of media that he would contact Mourinho for his advice if needed. He admires Mourinho’s capability to win matches and said that he would surely call him if required.
That must be enough for any coach in the world, where not only one of the best players in the history of football, but also an attacking coach seeks your advice. Mourinho is not participating in the World Cup but still he has hit the tournament with a force, which will definitely rebuild the confidence of smaller teams, and will give them hope that they can go all the way if they have the desire and perfect tactics to outplay their opponents. One can only hope that one day Jose Mourinho starts coaching an international team and shows the world that ‘Nothing is Impossible’.
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