By Emmanuel Ebimoh
Following the recent but expected sack of José Mário dos Santos Mourinho Félix as the coach of Manchester United just few hours ago, different reactions have been pouring out from football fans across the world. While many fans, notably supporters of the club, are celebrating the exit of the Portuguese tactician due to the team’s poor performance in the league this season, it is noteworthy to acknowledge the achievements of the once ‘Special One’ in his two and half year spell at Old Trafford.
After joining the club in May 2016, Jose Mourinho won his first trophy, the FA Community Shield, beating the then Premier League champions Leicester City 2–1. He later went on to become the first Manchester United manager to win a major trophy in his first year in charge, claiming the 2017 League Cup with a 3-2 victory over Southampton at Wembley. Manchester United went on to add the Europa League trophy with victory over Ajax that same year, clinching Champions League qualification and making it a trophy hat-trick.
Although he didn’t win any major trophy in the subsequent year – 2017, Mourinho’s Manchester United were able to finish in second place on the EPL table, 19 points behind their arch-rival, Manchester City.
Jose Mourinho’s record as a coach has however been hampered by a certain third-year syndrome. Since his first coaching job at Benfica in September 2000, he has never been able to stay more than 3 years at a club. In fact, if he performs well in his first and second year, the third year has always been disastrous. This third-year jinx may just be the reason behind Manchester United’s worst start to a League season in 28 years. They have won only seven league matches so far, drawn five, and lost five. They are presently in 6th position on the log, 19 points behind leaders, Liverpool who beat them 3-1 on Sunday.
