The series about Mourinho clearly reveals why he must change
The Netflix documentary returns to the moments that made the Portuguese coach a true legend, but also exposes the traits that hinder his evolution. Could a change finally happen at Real Madrid?
In 2015, a header by Chelsea's tough Serbian right-back, Branislav Ivanović, led the London team to the League Cup final. Throughout the match, Ivanović played with a bleeding foot from a blow received early in the game. José Mourinho, Chelsea's coach at the time, praised the defender for his sacrifice, asked for the blood-soaked boot, and demanded that club staff "send it to the academy so the kids can see how a winner behaves."
This was by no means the first time Mourinho praised players for playing through injury. In fact, he would often ignore players who he felt weren't injured enough and preferred to sit out. This forced many to seek injections and play on damaged limbs, causing irreversible harm. Such behavior was a cornerstone of his "siege mentality"—a belief that it was "us against the world." He convinced his players that if they followed his lead, they could conquer anything, leading them to be willing to "run through a wall" for him.
When the magic fades
John Terry famously said in the Netflix documentary, "I was ready to leave the pitch only in a coffin." However, the moment the wins stop, a coach who demands such extreme sacrifice and shifts all responsibility onto his players loses his "magic." His methods simply become outdated and ineffective.
His recent stint at Benfica serves as a prime example: after a loss to Braga in the League Cup semi-final, Mourinho forced his players to sleep at the training complex, effectively treating them like soldiers without families. By shifting the blame for the defeat onto them, he only deepened the divide within the squad.
The statistics of decline
While Mourinho once revolutionized football with advanced training methods—such as those developed by professor Vítor Frade—his current demands often feel anachronistic. His resume reflects this shift:
-
2000–2013: 20 titles, 2.34 points per game (78% success rate).
-
2013–2025: 6 titles, 1.85 points per game (63% success rate).
He has not won a league title in over a decade. At 63, Mourinho struggles to connect with the new generation of players, whom he frequently labels as "spoiled."
The Netflix documentary, while nostalgic, exposes a man struggling to overcome his own ego and lacking empathy for modern players. Mourinho refuses to delve into his childhood or address his underlying personality issues, preferring to craft a narrative that suits him. But players, much like the cameras, recognize this lack of authenticity instantly.
