The Rise of José Mourinho

Jose Mourinho is the arrogant and charismatic cult figure who divides opinions on the pitch and in the press room. Is he the genius strategist and saviour of failing clubs or just a toxic coach with main character syndrome?

This episode covers the rise of Mourinho, from his early beginnings in Portugal and Barcelona, to his time coaching Chelsea and Inter Milan. Simon and Mehreen analyse Mourinho’s rise to football supremacy with stories that even mega-fans (and mega-haters) may not have heard before.

In the episode, Simon and Mehreen share their tongue-in-cheek, in-depth analysis of Mourinho—as a love bomber and a ‘f***boy’, Mourinho’s problematic takes, and how he has been able to use his intelligence, charisma, and good looks for both good and toxic purposes.

This is a two-parter; look out for the next episode on the fall of Jose Mourinho.

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Time stamps:

00:30: Rise, fall, and redemption (?)

4:00: Growing up in a rapidly-changing Portugal

9:40: Rise of the intellectual and start at Barcelona

16:56: Frustration to first big break

21:01: Spotting weaknesses in his opponents

25:35: Mourinho - the handsome, the charismatic

28:53: Becoming the main character – Porto success to Abramovich knocking

35:34: Chelsea beginnings and rise of the media manipulator

43:25: Mourinho “the psychic”

44:43: Problematic takes on African players

47:12: Mourinho the love bomber

50:38: Chelsea becomes toxic

57:51: Chelsea sacking and next big move

1:03:04: Saviour of Inter Milan

1:08:26: Heading for Madrid