Friday’s edition of Portuguese newspaper Record features a very good interview with sports psychologist Dan Abrahams.
Author of three books, the former golfer is currently working at Derby County, alongside working as a consultant for several football clubs and players, including previous work with the English national team.
Many subjects were addressed in the interview, with the main focus being Portuguese managers and players.
That of of course led to Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho.
Record asked Abrahams if the Manchester United boss could be considered an actor because of his way of dealing with fans and the media.
The psychologist said: “Mourinho is very good at it, when addressing the general public. I think the personalities of the coaches these days are a bit different than they were 20 or 30 years ago.”
He also compared Mourinho to one of his rivals, Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp: “Jurgen Klopp, for example, is an excellent actor, for himself, for the team, for the players and the fans. He, like Mourinho, knows it’s part of the game.”
But it doesn’t necessarily mean that Mourinho isn’t a nice person with those who live with him in day to day: “Mourinho knows that running on the sideline at Old Trafford is part of an image he creates for supporters. Surely Mourinho, as a person, is affable, friendly, benevolent, and then there is that other Mourinho, more warrior of football.”
However, none of these acts are involuntary: “It’s acting and he knows it perfectly. It seems that he plans very well what he does and says and this is work is like the one of an actor.”
Jose Mourinho’s acting skills in various commercials may leave a lot to be desired, but perhaps that’s all part of the show too. If he was so good at acting when people know he’s acting, well, it may lead to more doubt generally.
