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. 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 Join the Heroes and Humans Supporters Club! Are you a fan of Heroes and Humans and can’t wait for the next episode? Why not become part of our exclusive community and get even closer to the action? By joining our official H&H Supporters Club on Patreon, you’ll unlock access to behind-the-scenes sneak peeks, bonus content, and special Q&A sessions with your hosts, Mehreen and Simon. Whether you're looking for deeper insights into football’s biggest personalities or just can’t wait for the next episode, we’ve got something for you. Don’t miss out! Support us and get more from your favourite podcast. Join us today at patreon.com/heroesandhumans Follow @heroesandhumans everywhere. Instagram TikTok Facebook X Visit our website for news & updates heroesandhumans.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ask this episode

“What did the council decide on item 42?” — answered with the speaker and the moment.

Transcript

Related