The Case for Mourinho

Surprise, surprise. Many of the so-called ‘experts’ who were quick to condemn Jose Mourinho for his post-match comments at the Madeski Stadium have become remarkably reticent in the light of recent events.

His goalkeeper was stretchered off after a first minute collision that left him distressed and disorientated and his condition subsequently worsened and caused serious concern – so much so that he was later transferred from a local hospital to the neuro-surgical unit of the Radcliffe Infirmary in Oxford, where he was operated on for a depressed fracture of the skull.

His number two goalkeeper was stretchered off after a 92nd minute collision left him unconscious and in need of a neck brace and he was released from hospital on Saturday evening only after appropriate tests had been carried out.

So what was Mourinho supposed to do? Be absolutely calm and dispassionate? Be unconcerned about the condition of two of his top players? Generously insist that both incidents were purely accidental?

In the past, the Special One has proved that he has a talent for exaggeration. But on this occasion, it is extremely difficult to find clear evidence that that particular talent was being exercised. He was perfectly entitled to be worried about Cech and Cudicini and in the circumstances he was also entitled to a more sympathetic reaction to his comments.