Mourinho: Manchester United’s Risk-Taking Leader

You don’t get to stand in the position of Jose Mourinho without ruffling a few feathers. The outspoken manager of Manchester United is more than accustomed to upsetting the masses, but he plays his cards as they’re dealt him — and he wins football matches like hands of Texas Hold ‘Em.
He has been quite outspoken in the past, and we won’t see that quality disappear anytime soon. But to truly understand Mourinho’s success within the game, we must take a look at why he does what he does and how it’s working.
Mourinho’s History of Success
Recently, Mourinho has been widely criticized for his own part in the skirmish following United’s 2-1 defeat against Man City. The Independent reports that Mourinho may have instigated the clash in which he said he was struck with a plastic water bottle. Be that as it may, there is a method to Mourinho’s madness as we can see examining his history.
Mourinho has adopted a strategy familiar to that of the most successful online poker players — high-risk and high reward. Managing Manchester United, as well as Chelsea in the past, has given Mourinho the experience necessary to play the football field like a poker champion because he is a champion; his record proves this.
After three Premier League titles, three League Cups and the FA Cup, it is generally accepted that Mourinho has been the most successful manager in Chelsea’s history — not to mention his various accomplishments at Internazionale and Real Madrid. After his move to United, he has not only been able to wrangle in a star roster but also the EFL Cup and the FA Community Shield as well. This is no minor feat considering he is the first manager in United’s history to secure this vital trophy in his first season.
Much like the game of poker, football combines elements of strategic prowess and pure chance. To properly manage a team like United, Mourinho has had to do what he does best: implement his strategy and take the chance. Good tactics take time to develop, and Mourinho has an edge in the industry with over twenty years of experience.
Although Mourinho has been widely criticized for his management style, he continues taking risks as would an experienced poker player — not the hothead critics accuse him of being. His results speak for themselves.

The Controversial Leader United Needs
As every poker player knows, sometimes you lose games that are played with expert strategy — as proven by Sunday’s defeat. It was a sore spot for the fans (with many a disappointed tweet going out), but Mourinho’s priority is always to his players. Even as he chastises fans for withholding their praise, Mourinho understands the loyalty of the United fan base. He knows they aren’t going anywhere. He also isn’t willing to pander to them, preferring to focus his efforts on his team.
His outbursts may seem unprofessional at times, but they are the hallmark of a most dedicated man, one who is willing to put it all on the line to get results. The players have come to respect that, and the fans need to as well.
Whether you’re playing poker or football, you don’t get to be a champion without putting it all in. And Mourinho does — body, mind and heart. He also isn’t willing to make compromises. He has earned his nickname “the special one” partly because he is so difficult to work with, and partly because of his success. The nickname is a rather tongue-in-cheek acknowledgment of Mourinho’s effectiveness, but the fact remains that you can’t receive the kind of bad press Mourinho has and remain focused without some serious capabilities to fall back on.
Mourinho strategizes carefully and with passion. Every move is a calculated one, every trade is well thought-out. All in all, you can’t deny that his love for the game is obvious, and his successes have brought his teams to victory time and time again.