A gloomy demeanour, tensions with the club hierarchy over signings, public criticism of his players... Jose Mourinho is just a collapse in form away from a relapse into the third season syndrome that has dogged his career.
Manchester United's pre-season preparations have been far from ideal. Mourinho has bristled at the club's executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward for apparently tightening the purse strings when major squad reinforcements are needed.
The late return of key players following the World Cup have left a sub-strength United team putting in sub-par performances in front of some sparse crowds as they labour around the United States on their pre-season tour.
The injuries are already mounting up, with Mourinho forced to field a makeshift defence in their 4-1 drubbing by Liverpool in Michigan at the weekend. He continues to publicly criticise his players.
To compound matters, the clock is ticking. Transfer deadline day is next Thursday, August 9, and United begin their Premier League campaign the following night at home to Leicester City.
As Mourinho grows ever more irritated and begins to lash out, there are undeniable parallels with the third season of both his spells at Chelsea and also his time at Real Madrid.
It's just this time, Mourinho doesn't have the safety net of silverware to fall back on. His first season at United saw them win the EFL Cup and the UEFA Europa League, but last season was a total washout.
United couldn't lay a glove on Premier League champions Manchester City in the title race and there appears little hope of an improvement this time around as rivals Liverpool splash the cash to strengthen.
So what happened in the third season in Mourinho's other managerial jobs? And is the curse about to strike him again?
CHELSEA 2006-07
In the trophy cabinet: Premier League 2004-05 and 2005-06; League Cup 2004-05; Community Shield 2005
Following back-to-back Premier League title wins in his first two seasons at Chelsea, things started to unravel very quickly during the third season of Mourinho's first spell at Stamford Bridge.
Even before the season started, there were reports of friction with owner Roman Abramovich, with the signing of Ukrainian striker Andriy Shevchenko a particular flash point.
Despite Shevchenko being one of the most prolific strikers in Europe, Mourinho had resisted his club record signing and wasn't happy that Abramovich insisted he play every game.
Though Chelsea would end the season with the FA Cup and the League Cup, they were off the pace in the Premier League, ultimately finishing six points behind champions Manchester United.
In the Champions League, they were knocked out on penalties by Liverpool in the semi-finals as a first final in the competition continued to elude them.
Though Mourinho completed the season and started the next one, the underlying tensions weren't far from the surface. He parted company with Chelsea on September 20, 2007.
Third season record: Finished 2nd in the Premier League, six points behind Manchester United; reached semi-finals of the Champions League; won the FA Cup and the League Cup.
REAL MADRID 2012-13
In the trophy cabinet: La Liga 2011-12; Copa del Rey 2010-11
All was going swimmingly for Mourinho in the summer of 2012. He had just helped Real break Barcelona's stranglehold in La Liga and had been rewarded with a new four-year contract.
But Mourinho isn't the kind of manager to stay in one place for too long and tensions once again surfaced as the season wore on.
Though they started the season by beating Barcelona to win the Spanish Super Cup, their rivals set a scorching pace in the league and Real trailed by a colossal 18 points by the mid-way point.
Their on-field implosion came against the backdrop of Mourinho self-combusting off it. His rocky relationship with club stalwarts Sergio Ramos and Iker Casillas created divisions between fans.
There was criticism of talisman Cristiano Ronaldo and a falling out after the manager claimed his compatriot 'maybe thinks that he knows everything and that the coach cannot improve him anymore.'
Mourinho also declared war on the Spanish press after critical comments and publicly took aim at striker Karim Benzema - when main striker Gonzalo Higuain was injured, Mourinho said: 'If I can't hunt with a dog, I will hunt with a cat.'
The tension manifested itself in some ugly incidents such as when he poked Barcelona assistant coach Tito Vilanova in the eye during a touchline brawl and was sent to the stands during the Copa del Rey loss to Atletico Madrid.
After that match, Mourinho described the season as 'the worst of my career.' With everything up in flames, Mourinho departed the club by 'mutual agreement' three days after the end of the season.
Third season record: Finished 15 points behind Barcelona in La Liga; reached semi-finals of the Champions League, beaten by Borussia Dortmund; reached the final of the Copa del Rey, losing to Atletico Madrid.
CHELSEA 2015-16
Trophy cabinet: Premier League 2014-15; League Cup 2014-15
Again, all should have been rosy with Mourinho in the summer of 2015 having guided Chelsea back to the pinnacle of the Premier League. Once again, he signed a four-year contract but everything soon fell apart.
On the opening day of the season, with 10-man Chelsea level at 2-2 with Swansea, Mourinho laid into team doctor Eva Carneiro when she ran on to treat Eden Hazard during stoppage time.
The revelations that followed, including allegations that Mourinho swore at Carneiro, were the beginning of his downward spiral at the club.
Chelsea were also in dreadful form on the field, losing seven of their opening 12 Premier League games.
When that record was nine losses from 16 games in December, with the club 16th in the table, Mourinho was sacked, his second spell with the club coming to a very abrupt halt.
Second season joy had been swiftly followed by third season misery for Mourinho and all the signals are that something similar could be about to unfold at United.
Third season record (Mourinho sacked in December): Finished 10th in the Premier League; reached last-16 in the Champions League; reached sixth round in FA Cup and fourth round in League Cup.
TangeniGivemetimeto
0
Exactly, i was thinking the same. I dont think the season will be so bad. We played against liverpool with alot of kids and very few senior players who were in and out of the first team last season. I just think that mou is concealing his real strategy by not playing first team in the preseason games. For all i know, liverpool will probably play the same line up they had against us for the whole season, which is an exposed strategy now. But we sure need some reinforcement in defense.
At u least u get me now
voeln
0
sake jose and bring Paul school
young_joshua
0
I don't know what Manchester United is waiting for before they fire Jose mourinho
zogemsitlhou
1
i Get u bruv...Man U needing Giggs is great..but that doesnt mean Mourinho is not good for Man U..i think the Man U v Liverpool was even good for him to make the right choice wheb the season starts...he knows the quality of players now
Exactly, i was thinking the same. I dont think the season will be so bad. We played against liverpool with alot of kids and very few senior players who were in and out of the first team last season. I just think that mou is concealing his real strategy by not playing first team in the preseason games. For all i know, liverpool will probably play the same line up they had against us for the whole season, which is an exposed strategy now. But we sure need some reinforcement in defense.
TangeniGivemetimeto
1
Jose will have to break his 3rd season jinx. Things dont look so well so far as his comments are concerned. So long as the dressing room atmosphere is great, things will work out. Man utd is in need of a leader. The likes of roy keane, cantona, giggs, vidic were prime examples.
i Get u bruv...Man U needing Giggs is great..but that doesnt mean Mourinho is not good for Man U..i think the Man U v Liverpool was even good for him to make the right choice wheb the season starts...he knows the quality of players now
zogemsitlhou
0
But what the hell is wrong with People man?..its just one game and all th mouths are full Jose ..Man U..wat wat...leave it for now ans wait for the four games to Judge...u people soo good at judging..mxm
Jose will have to break his 3rd season jinx. Things dont look so well so far as his comments are concerned. So long as the dressing room atmosphere is great, things will work out. Man utd is in need of a leader. The likes of roy keane, cantona, giggs, vidic were prime examples.
zogemsitlhou
2
Mourinho is just playing mind games with the media. Yes, its a bit bothersome that man utd first team hasnt played together so far and the league is just a week away but man utd will come through. Better stumble in the beginning than falter towards the end. Keeping fingers crossed. I cant wait for the league to start.
TangeniGivemetimeto
0
It’s not about the game,it’s the way Jose approach the matter after the game,Jose make people loose hopes,if we the fans feels this way what about the players???to me honest man MU needs no signings this season,what they’ve is more than enough to win any league,i like Jose but I want my club to prosper,Jose best for players that our current players are even more better than,Jose has promising defenders,MF,wingers than any other clubs in Epl,but the way he act and play them this always go bad,so yes I never supported Jose to be sacked before but I think he needs to go now,we went to buy Fred when we have Andres Perrera,he’s asking for a defender when we have too much good defenders,why does he want to sell Rojo?i think honestly Jose need to go.
Okay...i agree with u for sure...but if u expect the players and the fans to feel bad becos if the manager's comments...why dont u expect him to(Jose) to get angry and comment in such way...well its seriously too discouraging but i may say its some kind of normal for the manager to get frustrated...But Selling Rojo might be the very big mistake he will do...
bowiosty
0
Lots of overhyped news rubbish coming out... they lost a pre season game and mourinho explained why in his usual manner . Everything he said is basically true, he's just an abrasive person and maybe didn't come across great from a pr point of view .. who really cares ?? He will get Man U into a better position than any other manager that's out there at the moment . He will finish higher than Liverpool, Chelsea and spurs . The only thing he won't do is challenge city but nobody will at the moment and that's most likely the source of his frustration, without spending millions and overhauling the deadwood in the squad he won't catch them and for Jose that must be killing him, his biggest managerial rival is trumping him and he can't get the tools to fight back.
Jose has the tools...plenty of it,City is not better just that they are constituent,Jose shouldn’t go for old woods that are almost dead,he has everything he needs man,the only thing I see there is one more striker that’s all,he has very good defenders,MF and wingers,why will he go for Fred when he has Andreas?he thinks too much of defense,I have support Jose since he got became MU coach but this time I fear for the future,everything is so scattered and not organized,how can we get into the season like this man?
bowiosty
0
I heard they are going to replace him with Zidane
What source is that? Or you’re just saying for saying sake?
bowiosty
0
But what the hell is wrong with People man?..its just one game and all th mouths are full Jose ..Man U..wat wat...leave it for now ans wait for the four games to Judge...u people soo good at judging..mxm
It’s not about the game,it’s the way Jose approach the matter after the game,Jose make people loose hopes,if we the fans feels this way what about the players???to me honest man MU needs no signings this season,what they’ve is more than enough to win any league,i like Jose but I want my club to prosper,Jose best for players that our current players are even more better than,Jose has promising defenders,MF,wingers than any other clubs in Epl,but the way he act and play them this always go bad,so yes I never supported Jose to be sacked before but I think he needs to go now,we went to buy Fred when we have Andres Perrera,he’s asking for a defender when we have too much good defenders,why does he want to sell Rojo?i think honestly Jose need to go.
TangeniGivemetimeto
3
But what the hell is wrong with People man?..its just one game and all th mouths are full Jose ..Man U..wat wat...leave it for now ans wait for the four games to Judge...u people soo good at judging..mxm
L10NELMESSI
3
Jose is making himself underdog..may be something big might come at the end of the season in terms of silverware...Hope for the best.. This time premier league must be fatal 4 or 5 way unlike last year one way traffic
Wimbpty
0
It has
jaineelbhatt
2
ManU are ManU they are not like other clubs... So the curse effect will be low and we will atleast come in top 4....and atmost who knows maybe a title
paucnprs
0
Ok.. Who's next? Don't tell me is Mr. Wenger.. 😓
Manchesterisblue
1
but he made the el clasico the most entertaining matches around the world...with all the horrible tackles,red cards and arguments outside the field..damn i really miss that clasico
vasquez
2
alvaro morata to inter milan icardi to chelsea
that would be a good swith
SirGwin10
0
Mourinho is a business coach, when ever Mourinho enter third season of his contract, he always said bad words or criticism the players or the board.
Hinbdimp
1
Lots of overhyped news rubbish coming out... they lost a pre season game and mourinho explained why in his usual manner . Everything he said is basically true, he's just an abrasive person and maybe didn't come across great from a pr point of view .. who really cares ?? He will get Man U into a better position than any other manager that's out there at the moment . He will finish higher than Liverpool, Chelsea and spurs . The only thing he won't do is challenge city but nobody will at the moment and that's most likely the source of his frustration, without spending millions and overhauling the deadwood in the squad he won't catch them and for Jose that must be killing him, his biggest managerial rival is trumping him and he can't get the tools to fight back.
it's true.
Biacklrtuy
0
alvaro morata to inter milan icardi to chelsea
Barca_West
0
With the way things are going with Man U I can say the third year curse is bound to happen again with Jose. Players and the manager are unhappy and I hope their board is doing something to make up things because they don’t want to kick off their season with such pressure on players and manager.
Poybeir
2
This season is going to be hard for us
antonio1993
0
when team is winning mourinho sees it as his ingenuity. however when everything is falling apart, he runs to blame everybody but himself
AshtonLima
1
-Just bring ZIDANE and BALE
Squeeko
1
I heard they are going to replace him with Zidane
actaios
0
To predict the future one has to look at the past. Mou will go down in flames as usual and will get sacked before the end of the year.
industry
0
in two seasons two trophies last season came second and beat every team in the top seven. what a disaster.
foolhardy
0
the problem with this guy he thinks he above every one and nothing his fault.. he has sadly been losing it these last few years...
Jessieluse
0
I think we can all safely say medium sized premier league club Manchester United are looking at a mid table finish. Peace and respect to all
macadam
3
Lots of overhyped news rubbish coming out... they lost a pre season game and mourinho explained why in his usual manner . Everything he said is basically true, he's just an abrasive person and maybe didn't come across great from a pr point of view .. who really cares ?? He will get Man U into a better position than any other manager that's out there at the moment . He will finish higher than Liverpool, Chelsea and spurs . The only thing he won't do is challenge city but nobody will at the moment and that's most likely the source of his frustration, without spending millions and overhauling the deadwood in the squad he won't catch them and for Jose that must be killing him, his biggest managerial rival is trumping him and he can't get the tools to fight back.
Mkuchu
0
Day by day week by week month by month the decline of Manchester United goes on and on and on
Babysong
0
He's lost whatever he had when he first arrived in England - and let's be honest, apart from his ability to spend BIG, he didn't have much. Having said that though, I'd love him to stay at Ye Olde Trafforde - it's a marriage made in heaven.
Tmac01
0
The ticking time bomb that is Mourinho is certainly running out of time.
Messiaha
0
Give him another billion and a ten year contract extension, yours sincerely, every football fan in the world
enjoying
0
It's not really a curse - if he gets axed by Utd he will walk away with millions and millions - and not for the first time.
halamardi
0
Has been left behind by pep , klopp, and poch, his style of play is boring , cannot get the best out of the likes of progba , martial, rashford , spends to much time trying to get under the skin of other managers instead of trying to get the best out of what he's got , constant moaning shows no class I for hope he has a terrible season #anybut Utd
moments
0
He's completely lost the plot, real poor man management. He should be moved on.
cityon
0
Assaulting cancer sufferers . The list of abuse continues ON ON ON. The decline continues like the speed of sound
yukon
0
United is a has been club. They are done. All about history now. Can't say i am not enjoying the downfall of the club and their arrogant fans
saintjaph
0
whatever is wrong with mourinho is psychological. He should visit a shrink and work on his behavior especially towards his players. no need to insult your employers or even players in public, that's very bad. let him just learn to take things easy
Đaiveed ♥
1
can't say, and all these drama are just temporary things like these happens to coaches so I don't see why anyone thinks it's a real big deal... you can't judge Jose past experience with the present it doesn't make sense! they have already made two signings who I think would do well next season for the club and I know must players would be willing to prove that they are worthy at the club things would be really different next season but that doesn't mean that things wont turn out for good later on... and Jose is a very good coach it's just that he sometimes lack faith in his players like I. said its just a matter of time their performance in the international CUp doesn't mean that they wouldn't be better next season and you can't judge their performance ahead of next season it won't affect them.just watch and see
mikky234
0
please don't speak about this. We don't want to know about it. It's in the past and we hope this season has better things to hold for Manchester and Mou