Mourinho’s Old Comments On Matic Re-Emerge As Midfielder Edges Closer To A Reunion

Jose Mourinho is known for getting into his fair share of arguments with players and staff at the clubs he works for. He famously branded Mesut Ozil ‘a coward’ during an outburst at half-time while the pair were at Real Madrid. He has fallen out with the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Pepe, and so many others in the past.

He hasn’t really changed much in recent years though, despite claiming to be a lot more mellow now. He has taken regular swipes at the likes of Chris Smalling, Phil Jones, Luke Shaw, Henrikh Mkhitaryan, and Anthony Martial since he was made Manchester United manager last May, and it is often a tactic that serves as motivation for the player to prove him wrong.

Back in January 2014, the Portuguese boss demanded that Chelsea re-sign Nemanja Matic from Benfica, and despite facing heavy criticism for paying £21 million for a player who the club had let leave for as little as peanuts, his wish was granted. The Serbian ended up becoming a vital cog in the holding midfield role as the Blues went on to win the 2014-15 Premier League.

Just a few months into the season after their title-winning campaign though, Mourinho was under the cosh following a string of bad results in the opening weeks of the season. Not content and rather surprised at the way his side were malfunctioning just a few months after an incredible title win, Mourinho sought out several individuals and criticized them in front of the entire group of players.

One of those players, was none other than Matic. The 55-year-old hit out at the Serbian, accusing him of needing too many touches to control the ball, an outburst that stunned a majority of the squad present at the time.

 

REVEALED: Mourinho axed Matic after telling him he couldn't control the ball well enough http://t.co/Q6zecnCawi

— Mail Sport (@MailSport) October 2, 2015

 

Of course, all is forgiven, and Mourinho and Matic share a good relationship with each other. These reports from 2015 have only recently resurfaced and spread around social media platforms again, as the holding midfielder appears set to work under his former manager once more at Manchester United.

The Red Devils are said to have agreed personal terms with the player, and he is set to sign for the club in a deal worth around £40 million, subject to a medical that is set to be completed before United set off on their tour of America on the 9th of July, according to The Guardian.

 

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