10 players whose fortunes changed dramatically after a coaching change

#2 Juan Mata (Jose Mourinho)

Mata never fit into Mourinho’s philosophy at Chelsea

The 2008 financial crisis hit Valencia Club de Futbol hard – presidents were coming and going with alarming regularity and it seemed they would face a fight to stay afloat.

Fortunately, they managed to qualify for the Champions League in 2010, and again in 2011. Unfortunately, even their talented manager Unai Emery could do nothing about the financial might of Chelsea, who tempted midfielder Juan Mata to London in the summer of 2011.

Billed as a number 10 of supreme finesse and capable of enormous productivity, Mata quickly became the solution to Chelsea’s at times fruitless labour. Over two seasons, he was the darling of Stamford Bridge, being voted Chelsea’s Player of the Year in 2012 and 2013.

But then, in the summer of 2013, was the Second Coming of Jose Mourinho.

Mata, you see, was sublime when the ball was placed at his feet and he was asked to cause havoc in the opposition half. However, in tough away games or in Europe, where every player was expected adjust to demands and pull their weight defensively, he was often found wanting. And for a manager like Mourinho, who was all about control, it was widely predicted Mata would struggle to win the favour of his new boss.

Those fears proved to be true. From being the centrepiece of the team, Mata went to being someone whose style was all wrong. The same style, mind you, which had got him that far in the first place.

The Brazilian Oscar took his place in the side, and Mata became an afterthought. There were only 17 appearances under the new boss and no goals. Eventually, he left for Manchester United after just half a season under Mourinho (who would also move to Old Trafford in 2016).