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The Manchester United manager is undoubtedly one of the most successful tacticians today in world football. He has won about 20 trophies at club level on top of numerous individual awards.
Mourinho boasts of league titles in major European football nations such as England, Spain, Italy and Portugal. He is also a Champions League winner on two occasions in what has majorly been a glittering career.
However, his current horrendous spell at United has greatly threatened that reputation. Mourinho always fancied being the manager of the Red Devils. He enjoyed success in his first season but it has been a downward spiral since. A decent second-placed finish last season could not mask the fact that United was so far behind neighbors Manchester City.
This season, there have been several problems that have meticulously dissected United and resulted in poor performances. Mourinho has formed part of the problems and he may have side reasons to deliberately want the sack.
#3 Frustration
Mourinho is the type of manager that likes control. At Chelsea, he was offered that control and was easily given the money he needed to buy players by Roman Abramovic. This season, he found out his real position in the United hierarchy.
He even went to the media and said that he feels that he is more of a head coach than an actual manager. This is because, he was put in his place by the United board and Ed Woodward during the transfer window. They blatantly refused to spend money in order to get desired players including a centre back.
Consequently, he predicted a very tough season for the Red Devils. No one expected things to be this tough though. He has been frustrated at the turn of events given that he did make this stern warning at the start. His team has been weak defensively which an element of the game that is deep into his core.
#2 Tactics
Mourinho's tactics this season have come under huge scrutiny. Many pundits have stated that Mourinho may be trying to sabotage his own team in order to face the sack. His huge ego will not allow him to resign from the post.
This will be a sign that he indeed gave up on his ability to deliver which is something Mourinho cannot do. On several occasions this season, he has played Scott McTominay at center back when there were fit central defenders at his disposal.
His latest risk-taking tactics have proven the point of sabotage. Against Southampton, Mourinho switched to a 3-5-2 formation which isn't bad. Sometimes tactical switches are necessary. Who did Mourinho play as two of the three center backs? Eric Bailly? Chris Smalling? No, he played two holding midfielders in those positions.
McTominay and his favorite Nemanja Matic were deployed in those positions. Also, Marcus Rashford was having good game and was doing a lot of running to spark his team. Mourinho decided to bring him off instead of the error-filled Romelu Lukaku. It is only an injury scare that prompted him to substitute the Belgian.
#1 Huge payout
Money can be a huge motivator, especially if getting fired guarantees you a huge payday. According to Mourinho's contract, he will be paid a whopping £13m should United choose to terminate it. This can also be the reason why Woodward is hesitant to crack the whip on the Portuguese's time at Old Trafford.
Well, if Mourinho has not got the kind of success he desires at the club, counting his losses from a managerial perspective and cashing in doesn't seem like a bad idea. His agent definitely has spelled out his options if the team's current status is anything to go by.
Given that Mourinho is a professional, he will show up and do his work as required. That does not mean that there isn't more to the story than what meets the eye. The fact remains that United as a team has sunk into a deep hole. What remains is who between Mourinho and Woodward will blink first.
